Posted on 06/11/2007 2:27:22 PM PDT by FreedomCalls
Despite the opposition of the state legislature, the Texas Department of Transportation proposes a federally funded speed camera test.
Despite the near-unanimous opposition in the state legislature to the use of speed cameras, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward on a proposal to deploy photo radar on state highways using federal gas tax funds. Legislation awaiting Governor Rick Perry's signature prohibited only municipalities -- like Marble Falls and Rhome -- from installing automated speeding ticket systems. It was silent on the possibility of a state-run system (read legislation).
TxDOT began searching in April for a vendor that, using federal funds, would allow the agency "to assess and evaluate all elements of an automated speed notification system." Once selected, the vendor would operate an average time speed camera test for at least six months on Interstate 10 near El Paso and State Highway 6 near College Station.
Time-distance ticketing systems use multiple cameras spaced far apart on a freeway. Each car is photographed once as it enters the first section of road. Miles later a second photograph is taken that allows the vehicle's average speed to be calculated from the time it took to travel between the two locations. In use in Britain under the trade name SPECS, these cameras are commonly referred to as "yellow vultures" and are among the most lucrative in the country.
In its request for proposals, TxDOT cited success of speed cameras in the UK, which generated £120 million (US $240 million) in revenue in 2003, and in Washington, DC, which has generated $217 million in revenue with its red light and speed cameras since 1999. TxDOT's vendor will send notices -- warnings at first -- to motorists driving just 5 MPH over the limit with an accuracy level of +/- 2 MPH, meaning those driving just 3 MPH over the limit could receive a photograph and letter in the mail.
The River Cities Daily Tribune, which first reported the story last week, noted that TxDOT also ordered Marble Falls to remove its speed camera van from state highways in April citing safety concerns.
"How hypocritical is that?" Marble Falls Mayor Raymond Whitman told the Daily Tribune. "I have a bit of a problem with it, not because they're using the camera, but because if it's unsafe for us to use, how can it be safe for the state to do it?"
A full copy of the TxDOT speed camera request for proposals is available in a 219k PDF file at the source link below.
Source: Automated Speed Notification Services (Texas Department of Transportation, 4/1/2007)
You know, sometimes Texas gets pretty muddy and that mud, well heck, it just goes everywhere, sometimes even over your license plates and being that we’re trying to save water here, cars don’t get washed as often as they should sometimes.
Nothing like being guilty until proven innocent.
Last I heard, the U.S. Constitution guarantees one's right to face one's accusor, but I guess it doesn't apply here (how can one really question a machine?)... apparently it is all about the "living/breathing" document.
By the way... as a Texas A&M Aggie Former Student, just so y'all know... HWY 6 RUNS BOTH WAYS.
TAMU Class of '88
The same RINO GOP that got tossed out of power in DC is doing its best to get tossed out of Austin. When the RINOs come griping after they’re back out of power that it’s the fault of those conservatives who would no longer hold their noses and vote for `em, the question to be asked is, if the GOP saw it happen in DC, how is it not the GOP leadership’s fault for losing the legislature and the governor’s mansion? They’re the ones who kept playing the tax-and-spend-big-gummint tune, knowing the consequences!
Any community that allows the cameras to remain operational takes what they get. A citizen has to draw the line somewhere. Seems those cameras might be quite pricey to fix.
Can I demand a jury of my FReeper peers?
I don’t know, there some real, THE LAW IS THE LAW types on here who would probably only too gladly hang you out to dry.
Correct me if I'm mistaken... if it is anything like red light running cameras... they will not allow a jury trial by classifying the infraction as a civil offense - you'll not get the option to a jury trial.
However, they'll try to "soften" the blow by not having the speeding "offense" show on your driving record... oooo, goody-goody. Just send the state the $200 fine and all's good in the world of big bro.
Part i or ii sound like Algore and his "movie" to me.
There must be something illegal about his propaganda (maybe treasonous?) and he certainly wants us to go back to the stone age which is "dangerous to human life".
Actually don’t a lot of offenses only require 10 out of 12 jurors to convict????
Rednesss in post #11, wasn’t warning about a civil infraction “messing around with a red light camera.”
He/she was suggesting a full blown Federal felony under the Patriot Act.
That and the “tarring and feathering” threat. That could be deemed coercion.
I used to be all for the Patriot Act, but looking at some of the wording in it, it gives me pause. Under this wording the Boston Tea Party would have been a terrorist act.
Donning flame proof Jammie's now, and ducking for cover. :-)
We are pretty close to that same status now. Property.
If the matter of controversy is over $20, you have the 5th Amendment right to a jury in a civil case.
Yea, right, I got a warning ticket for 71 in a 70 zone a couple of years ago.
Sorry, I meant 7th Amendment.
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