Even though the Texas legislature is nearly unanimous in opposing this new technology, TxDOT is still going ahead with it;
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Texas DOT to Install
Federally Funded Highway Speed Cameras
Despite the opposition of the state legislature, the Texas Department of transportation proposes a federally funded speed camera test.
Despite the near-unanimous opposition in the state legislature to the use of speed cameras, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward on a proposal to deploy photo radar on state highways using federal gas tax funds. Legislation awaiting Governor Rick Perry's signature prohibited only municipalities -- like Marble Falls and Rhome -- from installing automated speeding ticket systems. It was silent on the possibility of a state-run system.
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So much for Government of the People, by the People, for the People. The People, via their duly elected representatives, have spoken that they do
NOT want this system. Yet, the executive is going ahead with it anyway. I have come to regret having voted for Rick Perry and have written to him expressing that regret.
Not that it will do any good. He is ignoring the voices of millions of Texans by ignoring the will of the Legislature. Why should he care about a letter from an individual?
That aside, is the goal of this system to make the roads safer?Is it to ensure compliance with the law?
Of course not.
This is the goal;
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In its request for proposals, TxDOT cited success of speed cameras in the UK and Washington, DC. The UK government generated 120 million pounds (US $240 million) in revenue in 2003 while the Washington, DC red light and speed camera program has issued $217 million in tickets since 1999.
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Revenue.
Money.
That is the goal - to generate funds for the State. This is a tax, not a law enforcement effort. It is a tool to generate revenue.
Another interesting tidbit is this;
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TxDOT's vendor will send notices -- warnings at first -- to motorists driving just 5 MPH over the limit with an accuracy level of +/- 2 MPH[.]
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It's not even being monitored or enforced by duly appointed law enforcment officers of the State. It is being monitored and enforced by the vendor, a private entity.
Then, there's the Sixth Amendment. The one that says "[T]he accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him[.]"
How can a camera be a witness? A camera is not a living being.
Get me on a Jury and I don't care if the camera caught you doing 110 in a school zone - I'll acquit. I will not support this system in any way or for any reason.
Labels: abuse of power, Big Brother, Constitution, Sixth Amendment, stupid laws
