"Scameras" speed cameras to balance state budgets?

[MR LIPP]

Do your speeding on the track...it's cheaper in the long run

[Dan Chambers]

Interesting.

While vacationing in the Brisbane area of Australia I was amazed at the speed at which everyone drove on the freeway: exactly 100-KPH. Everyone was very polite, and driving from the airport to Coolangata (about an hour south) was a dream! Not one "idiot" on the road ... but maybe me. I noticed a lot of warning signs about "speed enforcement cameras" along the roadways.

When I asked our local friend there about why the Aussie's seemed to be such polite, careful drivers his reply was: "Aw right; well with the bloody cameras all along the highway there's really no option, mate. Either behave yourself or pay the price. And, it's a heavy price, too." Initally I thought that it was a lousy, "Big Brother" approach to gettingg people to "behave" but then I did a little research. I found the system, while "violating my personal rights" made for a really safe driving experience.

When I returned to San Diego, and drove up to LA for work, I found myself longing for the highway cameras of NSW and Queensland.



http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/halvi ... t1_p06.cfm

"Over the next 2 to 3 years, Victoria did the following:
Introduced a considerable number of traffic safety legislative and regulatory amendments to increase police powers, sharpen laws, and increase penalties. For example, a zero blood alcohol requirement was introduced for drivers in the first 3 years after licensing, the probationary license period was increased from 2 to 3 years, compulsory helmet wearing by bicyclists was introduced, the demerit points scheme was revised, and immediate license loss for all second and subsequent drunk-driver offenses was established.
Introduced speed cameras as a method of speed limit enforcement.
Increased random breath testing for the detection of alcohol-impaired drivers by a factor of at least five, to a point where (statistically) one in three Victorian drivers could be expected to be tested in any given year.
Began a long-term program of public education to support specific safety initiatives and keep traffic safety in the public arena.
By 1992 the number of deaths had fallen to around 400, a drop of more than 40 percent against the levels of the mid-to-late 1980s and close to the (unpublicized) 50 percent target that had been set."

As for your article: This Bedard guy sounds like a really fun dude. Maybe we can sit down with him over a glass of Drain-o and chat about the good times.

[MR LIPP]

I wonder how good that is for Porsche sales

[MR LIPP]

Marching down the highway in perfect uniform step reminded me of this old Mac commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQByAzZ8gp4