Use of photo radar to detect speeders or red light runners in the us essay sample

The United States has been grappling with traffic problem that has resulted to tragic accidents in many instances on her roads. Majority of the accidents has been because of over speeding and fluting of other traffic rules such as running on red light signals. In order to deal with this menace, the government together other partners have tried to come up with devices that help detect flouting of traffic rules by motorists and drivers. This has resulted to the introduction of devices fitted with photo radars that are able to detect speeders or red light runners in the United States. During its inception, the technology was expected to work exceptionally well in bringing sanctity on the roads in various parts of the United States of America. This in the real sense has not been achieved due to a number of factors that have made it ineffective.

The Legal issues surrounding the red light runner and speeders has resulted in too much controversy over its efficiency. The accuracy of the devices has been put to question due to the relatively large numbers of motorists taken to court who demonstrated that the photo radars were wrong in their speed (Savage and Mejeur 43). Even as, everybody agrees, this means that the accuracy of the radar is put to question making its ability to serve be compromised. The fact that these radars have had wrong information posted on speed of motorists in the past defeats the logic of continued use of the same. Given that they have previously failed, it means that it might in some cases lead to motorists suffering in the courts of law, for crimes they never committed. It also discourages the prosecuting authorities from taking numerous prosecution based on information from the radar, as they cannot be fully trusted (Olsen 122).

The photo radars and from the nature of organisation of the whole system is not for the good of the country. The photo radar more or less helps the government through numerous fines in raising revenue for operation. This does not put into consideration the need to train motorists in avoiding the mistakes that are committed on the roads. Even as, these may be looked at as one of the mechanisms of reducing flouting of rules, it is the best that the government can offer for better results as it is somewhat forceful (Newton 245).

The cameras are not cost effective in comparison to use of vehicle activated warning signs that are enforced by the traffic police. For instance in Swindon, the use of the radars was temporarily stopped after there was a shortage in funding on the same. It was only brought back after funding was availed by the central government (Ian and Ross 176). In the short time that the cameras were off, the number of accidents reduced significantly. This raised many questions as to the necessity of having the cameras in Swindon, when actually the signals that are manned by police can deliver on better results.

Given that cameras are not found in all sections of the roads, motorists in many instances would flout traffic rules and then resume operating under the law whenever the cameras watch them. They would do these as part of an evasive mechanism in avoiding the cameras. This has been supported by the fact that the cameras are relatively expensive hence may not be put in every location. This has made many bogus drivers escape prosecution for crimes such as over speeding. This has been made easier by the use of GPS navigation devices (Olsen 143).

These devices are able to warn the driver on coming near the surveillance of the camera. Some motorists, in order to hide from recognition, have obscured the vehicle plates or altered them. This makes it impossible for the police to truck down the vehicle whenever they are over speeding or flouting traffic rules. It is a fact that the use of the radars has been ruinous for not only the drivers but also other stakeholders and traffic officers. Those who argue for a stop in using the cameras say that it tends to be more selective than other methods. Given that it may not record all that a driver does on the road, the most serious traffic offenders are likely to walking out of the corridors of justice.

It is a fact that those who invented the camera and the authorities that decided to use them on roads in the United States appreciate the need for the sanctity in the roads. However, the use of the radars has uncommonly brought the much-needed sanctity on the road. Instead, it has exposed innocent people to court battles. It is not just about having the cameras in place but about how efficient it is. If motorists have been able to prove that these cameras may at times mislead, then there is no moral justice of using the radars.

Works cited

Ian, Jeffrey and Ross, Jeffrey. Policing Issues: Challenges & Controversies. California, CA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2010. Print
Newton, Michael. The Encyclopaedia of American Law Enforcement. Texas, TX: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print
Olsen, Marilyn. State Trooper: America’s State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. New York, NY: Turner Publishing Company, 2001. Print
Savage, Melissa and Mejeur, Jeanne. Traffic Safety and Public Health: State Legislative Action, 2004. New York, NY: National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004. Print