For some, Cedar Rapids traffic cameras’ value still unproven
By B.A. Morelli, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The results came quickly.
Months into the program then-police Chief
"Nobody is immune," Graham said of the program's evenhanded enforcement of the rules.
Despite beating expectations of
But state officials today say that, while there's some evidence
The state
--Northbound and southbound cameras at
--
--The busy cameras on
--There is uncertainty about whether the crash data proves safety improvements or if it might be due to a new, higher friction surface on the S-curve or an overall statewide decline in traffic fatalities.
"If it's really about the safety, maybe those cameras are too far away from downtown," said
Gent said the city was incorrect about the cameras leading to fewer speeders, and that many out-of-state drivers are getting caught up in the system, which is not the tone
"I don't think it is a fair system for everybody," he said. "It makes you a little bit helpless. If I got pulled over by an officer, it would be more honest."
'Speculative'
"Any interpretation of the documented safety data would be speculative. This analysis would require an extensive traffic study," a spokeswoman said in an email.
On the other hand, the increase in tickets and revenue is a concern for some.
"That is a lot, and the pattern is not getting better," said
"If you are writing all of those tickets, something is not going right in the enforcement process. That is not having the effect you intended. Drivers aren't learning ... ."
Schofer added, though, that safety appears to be improving, if marginally.
Schofer, who explored possible abuse of the camera program in
"
In fact, Gent questions if interstates are the appropriate location for cameras at all.
Around the nation few communities use automated traffic cameras -- 502 have red light programs and 140 have speed cameras, according to the
"More communities should be using cameras," said
Traffic tickets by the numbers in 2014
--Issued: 81,025
--Paid: 41,245
--Payment pending: 26,026
--Contested: 230
--Not liable: 806
--Undeliverable: 835
--Paid in full: 1,612*
--Payment plan: 16*
--Unpaid: 9,716*
--Sent to collection agency: 7,092*
--Amount paid:
--Amount outstanding:
--
Traffic cameras elsewhere
Political pressure over fairness or scrutiny due to accuracy issues has prompted several states to turn off or restrict camera programs.
A court of appeals in
A
___
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