Suggestions for traffic cameras, ticketing

Some levelheaded state officials may bring the traffic cameras down soon, but if they stay, all tickets should be issued equally. Whether generated by camera or police officer, all tickets should be issued to the “registered owner.” This would save time on traffic stops as officers wouldn't have to check for unimportant warrants or current driver's license or insurance status. Just issue the ticket to the registered owner, throw it at the driver and be off for the next stop!

If the cameras go, then activate all of the crosswalk countdown timers. This gives the driver a warning when light will go to yellow. Why not leave the cameras and warning signs up, just not working, if their mere presence makes the roads that much safer? The fines aren't making the roads safer, it's the devices themselves, right? There have to be logical ways to slow down and make traffic safer without fleecing people's wallets, especially in a bad economy.

And for those who truly embrace these devices, start a voluntary program that installs a GPS and camera in individual vehicles, so they can be mailed a “civil penalty” each and every time they commit an offense, no matter where it's committed! The first to get these should be the public officials who brought the cameras in the first place. I'm sure that would change people's view on being OK with the Big Brother mentality, and would go over like a dump truck of lead off the Interstate 380 s-curve!

David Johnston

Cedar Rapids