I knew it!
Red Light cameras do not help safety! I hate the contraptions, and there seems to be increasing proof that they do not make intersections safer.
Link to just one such story.
Also, the city of Cleveland, TN recently lost its Red Light Camera company because the company pulled out of the contract... citing that they did not generate enough revenue!
These devices are revenue-generators. Plain and simple. As such, I believe they are illegal on several fronts:
1. The Sixth Amendment states:
"... to be confronted with the witnesses against him..."
This clause guarantees a person the right to face his accuser.
The reason for this amendment was that in the time of the foundation of the USA, the King of England would have people arrested on charges, and prosecuted without ever having anyone testify against the accused. He was hiding something. Just like these red light cameras!
In the case of a ticket via a red light camera, one cannot face one's accuser. They are, therefore, unconstitutional.
2. Since there is substantial proof that the red light cameras do not increase safety, they can only be viewed as a revenue generator. There are several problems with this:
- The companies that manufacture and install the cameras get a percentage of the fines. This is plainly a conflict of interest as the intent to fudge the issuance of fines is obvious so that the company will be able to benefit from increased revenues, regardless of the actual violation of law.
- Most local governments that receive fine proceeds from these contraptions are not required to indicate in local budgets how that money is appropriated. This is TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
- Tennessee state law requires certification by an officer of the law for each and every traffic citation issued. Where are the officers that certify these citations?
3. It is easy to find instances where cities with these cameras actually reduced yellow-light times in an effort to increase revenues. Not only is this illegal, IT IS MORALLY WRONG!
Link to just one such story.
Also, the city of Cleveland, TN recently lost its Red Light Camera company because the company pulled out of the contract... citing that they did not generate enough revenue!
These devices are revenue-generators. Plain and simple. As such, I believe they are illegal on several fronts:
1. The Sixth Amendment states:
"... to be confronted with the witnesses against him..."
This clause guarantees a person the right to face his accuser.
The reason for this amendment was that in the time of the foundation of the USA, the King of England would have people arrested on charges, and prosecuted without ever having anyone testify against the accused. He was hiding something. Just like these red light cameras!
In the case of a ticket via a red light camera, one cannot face one's accuser. They are, therefore, unconstitutional.
2. Since there is substantial proof that the red light cameras do not increase safety, they can only be viewed as a revenue generator. There are several problems with this:
- The companies that manufacture and install the cameras get a percentage of the fines. This is plainly a conflict of interest as the intent to fudge the issuance of fines is obvious so that the company will be able to benefit from increased revenues, regardless of the actual violation of law.
- Most local governments that receive fine proceeds from these contraptions are not required to indicate in local budgets how that money is appropriated. This is TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
- Tennessee state law requires certification by an officer of the law for each and every traffic citation issued. Where are the officers that certify these citations?
3. It is easy to find instances where cities with these cameras actually reduced yellow-light times in an effort to increase revenues. Not only is this illegal, IT IS MORALLY WRONG!
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