Editorial: Arizona and the Speed Camera Caper
OPINION – Welcome to Arizona, the land of cactus, deserts, golf courses, and the legacy of Tombstone and the OK Corral. The last of the lower 48 states, Arizona is still mighty young compared to old timers in the west like California, Oregon, and Washington. The age of the state has had some negative effects, for one our pitiful capitol building. The other is we still, in 2009, have the taste of the Wild West still in our mouths. In a few years we’ll celebrate our first 100 Years, far behind most other states, except Alaska and Hawaii. We still have this notion down here that people are free to do whatever they so choose. Government is seen as evil by many long-time Arizona residents. Are they dogged by complaints made by their parents as Arizona was finally granted Statehood?
Since returning from a long stay in Washington State, I have found this Wild West mentality alive and well on the state highway system. God help you if you try to do the speed limit. In 2008, Arizona began an ambitious plan to cut down, at least a little bit, on the Wild West mentality. They have installed cameras along the major freeways not only in the Phoenix area, but elsewhere, with a generous trigger point of 11 MPH over the posted speed limit. Since then, a very loud segement of the Arizona population has been screaming about their new nemisis. Devices that no longer make someone capable of speeding throughout the Valley of the Sun without getting caught.
Before cameras, there were only Cops. Stretched thin, it was easy for anyone to speed without ever getting caught. Unfortunately, I’m not talking a casual 5 over, more like 20-30 over the posted limit. Then came the cameras, and people now have to watch their speedometers and drive within 11 MPH of the posted limit. Oh the audacity of government!
Now, if you zip through town you’ll have picture after picture taken of you. Each one a hefty fine of about $181 dollars. A portion of that goes through a contractor called REDFLEX based in Scottsdale, who operates and maintains the cameras. You’d think a state that is so conservative and lovey-dovey to private companies would have applauded the use of a contractor. No, the reality is far different. Besides the constant comments seen on various places throughout the net referring to our Governor as “Nappy Carpet Muncher” (alledgedly claiming that Janet Napolitano is a lesbian because she’s unmarried), there have been various claims of consipriacy and corruption from REDFLEX to the Governors Office. The total lack of respect for our Governor (like her or not, she is the Governor), the silly arguments are just that: silly. However, they are completely expected from a population now told that those signs that say “Speed Limit” really do mean “Speed Limit”.
I do admit, as founder of the IRTEA, that there are some problems with the system. First, the tickets are notices of violations, not actual citations. Second, there are no points issued to a persons driver license. Basically, they’re toothless pieces of paper merely acting as a “Speed Demon Tax”. So, while I do agree with the loud and disrespectful anti-camera camp that the cameras have a revenue angle to it, I agree with them being there, once the notices get teeth that is.
People of Arizona, it is time to get things right. The cameras are not our enemies. Statistically they do reduce the number of people who speed, something which is out of control in this state. The problem is when they could be used for their true purpose by actually issuing citations, they issue a bill.
Fellow Arizonians, I ask all of us to not request the cameras be shut down or removed, nor that we should vote on such uses of technology to combat a growing problem, but instead ask that the photo enforcement program in this state be given its proper muscle.
Speeding is a growing problem on our highways, and one that needs to be tackled head on. These enforcement cameras do just that. We are not in the Wild West anymore.