You might want to look at the pretty pictures below before continuing to read this Gripe Post.
I read in the news today that police are using information from criminals' GPS units to place them at crime scenes at certain times. Wonderful! Very helpful for the crime-fighters. But people are concerned about privacy: Will the police now start using information stored in GPS units to nab people for minor crimes like speeding?! Oh noes!!!
This really bugs me. People get all upset about things like being nabbed for speeding "unfairly", or too many speed and red-light cameras... FOR GOD'S SAKE, DON'T BREAK THE LAW AND YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!!! Speeding laws and red lights exist for everybody's safety. There is no such thing as "too many speed cameras" or "too high fines" or "oh no I'm going to be found out via GPS info instead of being seen directly!" Breaking a law is breaking a law, and you're risking your own life and everybody else's by doing so. I'm all in favour of free-thinking, questioning authority, and acting on your own best judgement. But surely your own best judgement should always be not to endanger anybody else? Not to mention, knowing of the existance of cameras, avoiding a fine? Fines and imprisonment exist as a deterrent and a punishment for law-breakers. It shouldn't matter how you get caught. Just don't speed. Am I the only person who sees this?
6 comments:
You're right of course. :D
Your right. What I also find annoying is when the same people say that speed-cameras are just revenue raisers they dont impact safety. Which is statistically correct - since their introduction road deaths have decreased in Aust.
Cheers,
Andrew
Well, I think a lot of people also argue that speed cameras are the 'lazy' way of policing roads and making them safe. They're obviously cheaper than putting real police officers on the road with the ability to be discretional about penalties, but are speed cameras better at maintaining laws and safety? Very debatable. And as for "don't break the law because its the law", I don't see the problem with challenging the status quo of speed cameras. If things can be done better, why not complain about it and try to get something done? That said, I don't think anyone is going to listen. Lazy/cheap always wins.
Andrew - Not quite making sense to me... do you mean statistically incorrect?
Anonymous - I made no mention of the cost or the laziness. I'm not trying to say that speed cameras are either good or bad. The fact is, everybody knows speed cameras exist, but people still speed and still complain about getting caught. It's like irritating a dog then wondering why you get bitten. I also didn't say don't break the law just because it's the law; I said not to break the law because it's a matter of everybody's safety. I could get into a discussion about the effectiveness of laws and the effect of public opinion, but I'd need a good couple of hours to write all that I think. So, while you raise a valid point, you've misread or misunderstood my post. But thanks for saying something other than an outright insult.
Stace i am sure you are aware that personal responsibility is a thing of the past. Everyone wants someone to blame for their mistakes.
As for revenue raising speed tickets are the worlds first voluntary form of taxation. Don't want to pay it, don't break the law.
Aidan
Very well said, Stace! *smile* I don't understand why people speed. Have they not heard of "cruise control". Use it! *smile* Of course, I don't drive fast anymore. Maybe it's my age or the fact that there really isn't any where I need to be that desperately? *feeble grin* I've learned to slow down and enjoy the view! (A sign of older age?:-/)
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