Letter: No reason to oppose traffic cameras

The Gazette has covered a number of recent stories concerning traffic deaths. First, that the number of Iowa fatalities involving construction workers rose to 13. Next, that the Iowa State Patrol is badly understaffed and woefully unable to respond accidents, many involving personal injury and death. And finally, that the patrolmen are seeing astounding numbers of drivers going 80 mph, 90 mph, and even 100 mph during this holiday season, which has resulted in fatalities.

Why Gary Hughes ('It's time to ban traffic cameras,” Dec. 29) would take away the modern technology that would help reduce these problems, is an utter mystery to me. In early November, I made a 5,000 mile road trip through six states. In construction zones everywhere, I saw speed limits 'photo enforced.” (And I didn't see anyone speeding there, either!)

In Cedar Rapids, it's clear the cameras are doing a great job, both in slowing traffic and reducing accidents and personal injury.

Why does Hughes oppose them? Because some big trucks don't have an identifiable plate and because other drivers conceal their rear plate with a bike rack and he finds this 'unfair.” The solution to that problem is easy - require every vehicle on the road have a photo-readable plate clearly visible. And make the fine for failure to display so large that no one will think of trying to avoid it.

It's time to start treating speeders like drunken drivers - since both show a lack of concern for anyone but themselves.

Jim Walters

Iowa City