Gazette Writers Circle: Traffic enforcement cameras

Last month, members of The Gazette Writers Circle met to discuss traffic enforcement cameras. Some of the questions they considered were:

Why do people feel so passionately about traffic enforcement cameras? Under what circumstances are cameras useful or warranted? What are the risks or drawbacks, if any, about camera enforcement?

DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE

By Linda Seger

This was a subject I faced with determination to be open to all points of view.

One very obvious factor kept presenting itself: Love those speed cameras or hate them, the truth is, speeding above a posted limit on a roadway is against the law. Whether you are 'caught” by a uniformed officer or by a new technology, it is basic Drivers Ed 101. Don't speed! It's a violation with consequences.

We humans like to push our luck and come up with creative excuses for driving fast. Remember the Fuzz Busters? Or flashing your headlights to warn drivers up ahead was a traffic enforcement area?

Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry might give you a pass, but those speed cameras are detached from all emotional pleas.

A recent trip between Cedar Rapids to Des Moines via I-80 on a rainy morning did not win me over to those with a lead foot. Rain, road construction, detours, semi trucks and bumper-to-bumper traffic had me convinced I soon would arrive at the pearly gates, hoping the fool responsible for my demise would be right in line with me.

As of July, speed enforcement cameras are in use in 139 communities. Twelve states have passed legislation prohibiting use of speed cameras. Twenty-eight states have no laws regarding their use.

The red-light camera company, American Traffic Solutions, indicates that cameras modify drivers' behavior. Nine out of 10 drivers do not get a repeat ticket, according to that company. Accident frequency is reduced and there are fewer fatalities. Fewer traffic citations are written as people drive with the awareness that speeding may result in a ticket.

Safety is paramount and communities know which roadways are the most dangerous to exceed the speed limits and cause accidents.

Speeding causes more carbon monoxide emissions the faster you go. Driving slower is friendlier to the environment.

The 'snake curve on I-380” winding through downtown Cedar Rapids is and has always been dangerous. The design of this elevated interstate makes it vulnerable to all kinds of hazardous situations. Speeding drivers are endangering themselves and other drivers. I am told there are four signs warning drivers to reduce speed entering the 'S” curve. If you are a driver unfamiliar with this road, four warnings should be more than enough for you to get the message.

Opponents of cameras claim that speed cameras are only there to make revenue for local budgets. The companies who install and maintain the speed camera are from out of state, draining local revenue and forcing those who wish to contest a citation to deal with a company based in another state. Out-of-state drivers getting citations will refuse to use roads through certain communities because they have speed cameras. Some say they feel their liberties are being violated by cameras not able to identify who is driving the vehicle.

Judges in other states have ruled they are unconstitutional. Cameras presume guilt and do not provide motorists an opportunity of a fair hearing.

Simple solution. Do not speed. Pay attention to the road. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right.

' Linda Seger is past president of the Northwest Neighborhood Association and a member of The Gazette Writers Circle. Comments: lsiglin44@gmail.com

SAFETY OR REVENUE?

By Linda Topinka

The Department of Transportation has directed that four of the traffic cameras in Cedar Rapids be removed or shut down.

The DOT reports that statistics are not supporting that the cameras are making sections of I-380 safer and have directed Cedar Rapids, along with some other cities in Iowa, to remove their cameras. City officials have stated that the cameras have made I-380 safer, and have chosen not to remove them.

It is my conclusion that the revenue that is generated from the traffic cams is the reason for the city's position. The city financial director stated the city will lose about $2.2 million from the loss of these cameras.

In 2013, Cedar Rapids was listed as having $2.5 million in revenue from the cameras; Des Moines, $1.3 million. The U.S. Census estimated the population of Cedar Rapids, with three surrounding counties at 128,469; Des Moines' estimated population in 2013 was estimated at 599,789. Cedar Rapids is issuing a lot of tickets from I-380 for these cameras to be having such a major impact on the safety of our community.

It is interesting to note that for people traveling from Minneapolis to Saint Louis and vice versa, Cedar Rapids is a chokepoint, meaning it is a straight passageway. The DOT reports that Cedar Rapids will be one of the only cities in the nation to have permanent cameras on the interstate.

I read one of Rick Smith's articles stating that 90 percent of the tickets being issued are from the traffic cam on I-380 and J Ave. NE. They expect the J Ave. camera to net about $4.7 million in revenue this fiscal year, which will net the city about $3 million. This is according to the city finance person.

There are 29 cameras in the city, four of which are on the interstate, and about 48 percent of the traffic cam revenue is coming from one camera, J Ave.

Needless to say, the city has chosen to appeal the DOT's order to remove or shut off the cameras.

Mayor Ron Corbett was quoted in May saying that they did not take appealing the decision lightly because it meant two or three years of litigation. During that time, the cameras would still be in operation, continuing to generate revenue.

One of my issues from the beginning with traffic cameras has been transparency. Video images are provided to the police department from the private agency.

Then the police department determines who has violated the traffic ordinance and will receive a ticket. I have questions about how this decision is made.

There is a serious problem when the city government benefits and becomes dependent upon infractions of the public.

' Linda Topinka, a semiretired mental health practitioner, worked as a social worker in Linn County area for 35 years. Comments: lindatopinka@aol.com

QUESTIONS ARE ONLY NATURAL

By Diane Peterson

We gathered to discuss the pros and cons of the traffic cameras. Our discussion gravitated to the speed cameras on the 'S” curve. Importantly, why is this discussion still raw and fresh? I have a theory about that and will get to it later.

Drivers on a fast and packed roadway will involuntarily speed up with the pack, just like a band does with a drummer who subtly increases the pace.

Aren't we taught to drive with the flow of traffic?

Before the speed cameras were in place I commuted to Iowa City daily. Let me tell you, there were serious speeding issues, and this New Jersey girl who doesn't blink an eye back home visiting kith and kin felt mighty uncomfortable with the recklessness on the 'S” curve when commuting to Iowa City.

That is why I came into the group that day with a secret. I didn't say it, but I love the speed cameras on 380. I was happy that people slowed down on the 'S” curve. But I came to listen to others and not just state my opinion.

The fear that I heard in the room did surprise me. Quite early, it became clear that people were suspicious of the 'out-of-state” company, GATSO, and the fact that they are making money off us. Where do you go to state your case? How do we find out how much money goes to the GATSO? Are the cameras calibrated? How often and to what standard? Who set the price of the ticket and how?

Armed with my trusty computer and home Internet, I was able to verify these questions, and fears actually have been covered by The Gazette or addressed on the City of Cedar Rapids website.

I also learned the first camera was put into service in 1993, but ours in the Cedar Rapids area have only been in place since 2010. That is not even a dog year. People barely have had time to kick the tires.

This speaks to why, I feel, the discussion remains fear-filled and won't go away.

Computer skills are not universal or second nature to many. Nor are computers universal or the time to use them.

Two items troubled me. My research shows the company GATSO must send the ticket within a month. If you truly are new to the area, you could get a ticket going north and south daily for a month before you receive your first civil citation. The smallest ticket violation price is $75. Let's get real and tighten that time up! Secondly, if our mission is truly safety and not entrapment, let's increase the signage.

Finally, slow down in life and enjoy the moment.

' Diane Peterson has lived in Cedar Rapids for more than 20 years. Comments: ddpeters57@gmail.com

JUST OBEY THE LAW

By Paul Forbes

This issue is just further proof of what a pampered society we have become. A society that is apathetic to important issues right in front of us, but because they do not directly affect us, we blow them off and do nothing. But when we get hit with a $75 ticket because we are not obeying the law, we whine.

The signs are clearly posted and marked with red flags: slow down, they indicate, here is the speed limit and it is enforced with cameras.

Have we forgotten our understanding of English? I believe if psychologists took a close look at this, it is merely people reverting back to when they were 2 or 3 years old, when your belief was that you could do whatever you wanted, and if you were told 'no,” you threw a temper tantrum. The speed is too slow. Well, of course it is too slow, but it is the law. And it clearly has cut down on both the number of accidents and the severity of accidents.

I am one of those people who believes the speed limit should be 75 mph on the interstate, and 65 mph through the city. Because as we all know, that translates to 85 mph and 75 mph, with that 10 mph cushion that we always have been given. And do not think you are not given a cushion, even with the cameras.

Is it really slowing you down that much to reduce your speed going through Cedar Rapids?

Try it sometime. If you slow down, obey the law, and the cameras find no one speeding, what do you think will eventually happen? Why pay for something not needed?

' Paul Forbes is a photographer, blogger and member of The Gazette Writers Circle. Comments: www.LifeInIA.com