DPS to use speed cameras on freeways

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by aj661

The answer to that is yes they can and yes they have. Get the unit number off the vehicle (DPS cars are on the bumper) and call in a complaint. If they're justified in running fast, nothing will happen to them. If not, action does get taken. Are you sure it's the same officer every day or do they all look alike to you?

I think the cameras are a great idea, especially the mobiles. Whatever it takes to get people to slow down. I still think we need a system like Germany that measures speed and distance between vehicles which targets vehicles following too closely. Tailgating causes more collisions than speed alone. Speed just makes them worse.

Yesterday I saw a police car coming directly toward me driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Downtown Phoenix. There were no lights flashing or other indications of an emergency response. Frankly, I think the officer was just confused. The car appeared to be DPS rather than Phoenix PD. I was too busy making a quick lane change to notice the unit number, but I'll keep that in mind if something like that ever happens again. I have the utmost admiration for the Phoenix PD and the DPS, but there has to be accountability for everyone on the road.

I agree about the cameras; I don't see the downside.

[kssss]

So...I was driving my roomates car and received a photo radar ticket. She said she is going to send the ticket back with her license photo and tell them that it was a friend from out of the state. However I am worried because my license has the same address as hers and it is clearly me on the photo. Do I just cave into the (AZ-money hungry mongrols)state and tell them it was me driving? We know she will not have to pay the fine because again it is clearly me not her. Someone tell me if this is really going to work or should I just do the driving school? First ticket in 19 years and I was going 11 miles over the speed limit along with everyone else.

[Prinny]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Photo radar is nothing more than a revenue collector for government agencies like DPS. If they were truly concerned about safety, then they would put more DPS officers on traffic patrol. Also, if safety is a concern, then they wouldn't be setting up cameras for the sole intent of citing speeders. Speed is NOT the cause of accidents ... intoxication and inattentiveness are the main causes. 80 or 85 MPH is not dangerous on an open highway with good conditions & sparse traffic.

As for the reckless idiots who drive at 100 MPH or more, photo cameras won't stop them. People who drive that fast are driving at CRIMINAL speeds, and should be pulled over & arrested. Instead, all they get is their beautiful picture taken with a citation in the mail, and they'll just continue to drive as fast as they want. Again, if it's the excessively fast speeders they're concerned about, why don't they put officers on patrol to nab them? Better yet, why don't they put on more cops to nab the drunks, the inattentive, and the slowpokes in the left lanes who hold up the flow of traffic?! Those are the real menaces in traffic ... not those who drive 66 in a 55!

Not sure where your logic comes from, but if you think speed doesn't cause accidents, I think you don't belong on the road. Many innocent people die each year because of exaclty that kind of thinking. It is more cost effective that they do this and also in the process "real menaces" as you call them get caught in the process. If everyone just worries about themselves and their actions than I think we'd have a lot more safer people.

Why do we always have people unhappy about things that are suppose to benefit everyone and keep us all safer? This is good thing for all. If it costs a few people money for breaking the law then maybe it will prevent speeding and save lives.

[fcorrales80]

The reason Scottsdale and Phoenix do not profit from the cameras is simple, slow down when entering the "photo enforcement zone" and then speed back up again. The stationary cameras are a waste of money and just plain stupid. Those that live in the area and use the freeway daily are not the smartest if they drive too fast past the cameras. I don't speed myself and hardly use freeways, but when I have I just see people hit the breaks in the "zone" and then it's pedal to the medal after they pass by.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Your prayers have been answered! That's exactly what we're getting - Germany's system, circa 1930's.

LOL, good one! And rep to you!

[OctoberMoon]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Yesterday I saw a police car coming directly toward me driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Downtown Phoenix. There were no lights flashing or other indications of an emergency response. Frankly, I think the officer was just confused. The car appeared to be DPS rather than Phoenix PD. I was too busy making a quick lane change to notice the unit number, but I'll keep that in mind if something like that ever happens again. I have the utmost admiration for the Phoenix PD and the DPS, but there has to be accountability for everyone on the road.

I agree about the cameras; I don't see the downside.

Just because the officer didn't have lights flashing or any other indication doesn't mean he or she wasn't responding to a call. Sometimes police, when responding, are not supposed to use their lights and sirens. Depends on the call. I don't know about this particular instance, but that is why sometimes it seems as if a cop is just speeding down the road because he can. Nope, he probably has a reason for doing what he is doing that you just don't know about.

As for the cameras...at first I hated them. But that is because I used to be a speed demon. After realizing how horrible drivers are in Arizona and hearing story after story of people getting killed here in accidents, I am all for whatever makes people slow down. The slower you are going, the better your response will be to whatever comes at you!

And just fyi...on freeways you are allowed to go 10 miles over the speed limit (at 11 you will get flashed) and on side-streets you are allowed to go 5 over the limit (6 you will get flashed). Oh, and beware, the red light cameras that get you at intersections are now turning into speed cameras as well

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

The reason Scottsdale and Phoenix do not profit from the cameras is simple, slow down when entering the "photo enforcement zone" and then speed back up again. The stationary cameras are a waste of money and just plain stupid. Those that live in the area and use the freeway daily are not the smartest if they drive too fast past the cameras. I don't speed myself and hardly use freeways, but when I have I just see people hit the breaks in the "zone" and then it's pedal to the medal after they pass by.

F, I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by OctoberMoon

Just because the officer didn't have lights flashing or any other indication doesn't mean he or she wasn't responding to a call. Sometimes police, when responding, are not supposed to use their lights and sirens. Depends on the call. I don't know about this particular instance, but that is why sometimes it seems as if a cop is just speeding down the road because he can. Nope, he probably has a reason for doing what he is doing that you just don't know about.

As for the cameras...at first I hated them. But that is because I used to be a speed demon. After realizing how horrible drivers are in Arizona and hearing story after story of people getting killed here in accidents, I am all for whatever makes people slow down. The slower you are going, the better your response will be to whatever comes at you!

And just fyi...on freeways you are allowed to go 10 miles over the speed limit (at 11 you will get flashed) and on side-streets you are allowed to go 5 over the limit (6 you will get flashed). Oh, and beware, the red light cameras that get you at intersections are now turning into speed cameras as well

Oh please, there are going to be accidents and people getting killed whether there are cameras or not. I'd like to see stats where they say how much of these cameras reduced the accidents or people getting killed! Its simple, its law of averages....there are MORE and MORE and MORE vehicles on the road today than EVER! If they really want the accidents and people being killed to stop, how about the government shutting down the number of vehicles being manufactured and distributed in United States? Yeah, that'll raise some eyebrows...that's because the Gov. knows they can get away with nickel and diming these poor regular joe's and if the richman gets the ticket, he won't complain....