Chicago speed cameras clock 205,000 citations in 39 days; if tickets were issued, the city would hav - Polidicks

[quote]October 11, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Chicago's new speed cameras have clocked almost 205,000 violations in just over a month. An analysis shows the cameras in nine safety zones logged the speeding violations between Aug. 26 and Oct. 3. The cameras are only issuing warnings to drivers, but fines will be levied starting later this month. If the violations had been tickets, they could have generated nearly $13.9 million for the city in just 39 days. That's on pace to be well above the $40 million to $60 million in extra revenue forecast by Mayor Rahm Emanuel for next year. But the larger-than-expected number of citations is prompting criticism from some who say the cameras are more about making money for the city than protecting children and pedestrians.[/quote] [url]http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9283474&hpt=ju_bn5[/url]

"...more about making money for the city than protecting children and pedestrians." Well hey, if it does both, and they are not set for something stupid like 5MPH over the speed limit, I see no problem. The key here is how fast over the speed limit do you have to be traveling?

That would be 13.9million if people actually paid the fines. Other wise it would be a money sink because people would be in jail sitting out tickets.

And the ticket payment center I used to work in would have fucking [I]exploded.[/I]

[quote]But the larger-than-expected number of citations is prompting criticism from some who say the cameras are more about making money for the city than protecting children and pedestrians[/quote] You blow through a stale yellow or red it's the decision of inductive sensors on the road and a computer to label you an asshole who can't fucking drive.

[QUOTE=Spartan8907;42495642]"...more about making money for the city than protecting children and pedestrians." Well hey, if it does both, and they are not set for something stupid like 5MPH over the speed limit, I see no problem. The key here is how fast over the speed limit do you have to be traveling?[/QUOTE] when I drive, like, 90% of the people I see do about 5 over the limit

I'm sure this info excites a few people in the government

EXTORTION. at its best

[QUOTE=stawicki;42495801]EXTORTION. at its best[/QUOTE] Law enforcement doing its job is just awful huh?

Excluding schoolzones and inner-cities, speeding laws in general are bullshit money-making scams. [editline]11th October 2013[/editline] I recall reading a traffic report that revealed speeding alone to be the cause of a very small amount of accidents.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;42495823]Excluding schoolzones and inner-cities, speeding laws in general are bullshit money-making scams. [editline]11th October 2013[/editline] I recall reading a traffic report that revealed speeding alone to be the cause of a very small amount of accidents.[/QUOTE] Speed limits in my opinion are not needed besides in specific zones, most people will just drive at comfortable speeds even without a limit.

[QUOTE=MR-X;42495663]That would be 13.9million if people actually paid the fines. Other wise it would be a money sink because people would be in jail sitting out tickets.[/QUOTE] In a lot of places, you can get out of camera issued tickets without paying anything and without going to jail. There was a guide to it somewhere I do agree that speed limits tend to be bs. I recently got my first ticket. 61 in a 45. It was a 4 lane highway, with every driver going 60. I was singled out for having an out of state plate

If they start installing those speed cams on the highways, both revenue and driver frustration would shoot through the roof. 55MPH speed limit? Everyone drives 75 anyways

In my area everyone drives 80~ on I-87

They tried installing cams for traffic lights here, except after the city spent millions on them and the day they went live they were taken down because the state supreme court ruled them unconstitutional after most shots failed to prove the identity of the driver.

I wonder if that hypothetical ticket revenue exceeds the lost tax revenue.

I never understand speeding infractions. People that go over 80mph on major highways(like the Florida Turnpike) never get caught, but if you go 5 miles over the limit, you'll get a ticket. Getting pulled over for going 40 in a 35 in Texas was bullshit, but people go like 100 in the interstate and never get caught there.

[QUOTE=Rocko's;42496062]I never understand speeding infractions. People that go over 80mph on major highways(like the Florida Turnpike) never get caught, but if you go 5 miles over the limit, you'll get a ticket. Getting pulled over for going 40 in a 35 in Texas was bullshit, but people go like 100 in the interstate and never get caught there.[/QUOTE] Technically, all speeding infractions are suppose to be penalized, it's just local law enforcement are more concerned about their local areas and roads than people speeding on highways which just go through their areas (and of which are usually the domain of non-existent state police).

[QUOTE=Starpluck;42495823]Excluding schoolzones and inner-cities, speeding laws in general are bullshit money-making scams. [editline]11th October 2013[/editline] I recall reading a traffic report that revealed speeding alone to be the cause of a very small amount of accidents.[/QUOTE] i rarely keep track of my speed when i drive. i drive with traffic, or if there isn't much traffic, a reasonable speed where i can react to potential hazards while driving. seems to work for me although i haven't been tested much as a driver.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;42496085]Technically, all speeding infractions are suppose to be penalized, it's just local law enforcement are more concerned about their local areas and roads than people speeding on highways which just go through their areas (and of which are usually the domain of non-existent state police).[/QUOTE] All speeding is indeed an infraction, but keep in mind that speed limits are set with the idea that officer discretion will be employed in enforcement. Human links in a justice system are no only nice, but a necessary component.

[QUOTE=GunFox;42496375]All speeding is indeed an infraction, but keep in mind that speed limits are set with the idea that officer discretion will be employed in enforcement. Human links in a justice system are no only nice, but a necessary component.[/QUOTE] Indeed. I've been pulled over 3 times in my life for speeding, but two of those times my speed was so marginal that the first one I got a written warning and the other I just got a verbal warning. Heck, the last time was just a few days before Christmas, I had drilled through a 12 hour work day and was dead tired at around 11pm and just wanted to be home to sleep. The officer perfectly understood and just told me to ease it up a bit and I'll be there soon enough. [editline]12th October 2013[/editline] The time I did get a ticket though, I deserved it.

[QUOTE=Xieneus;42495924]In my area everyone drives 80~ on I-87[/QUOTE] Hi I drive 80 on i-87, can we be 80 buddies. Minimum I'll go is 69 though

Highway patrol consistently patrols the highway I drive every day. I've been tailed multiple times by them as they check people's speed, etc. (They tail you as a way to tell you to let them through) At least here, they do their job. If you're speeding here, you'll get caught unless it's general traffic consensus. [editline]11th October 2013[/editline] Rule of thumb, don't be the fastest car of the group.

I would seriously consider limiting my visits to Chicago if it issues you a ticket for going like 5mph over on I-55. 55mph is already a stupid speed limit for a highway like that. 70 is the perfect speed limit, hence why I love it when I take trips to Michigan once in a while.

Speed kills your pocketbook.

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;42495871]Speed limits in my opinion are not needed besides in specific zones, most people will just drive at comfortable speeds even without a limit.[/QUOTE] While I agree, there are people who will take that as an excuse to drive 80mph where they can endanger other people or themselves. I guess you could argue they'd end up killing themselves off though.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;42495823] I recall reading a traffic report that revealed speeding alone to be the cause of a very small amount of accidents.[/QUOTE] Alone.

I drive with the flow of the traffic. If the traffic is doing 15mph over, that's my speed. If there's no traffic around I usually go a safe limit, usually within 5-10mph of the posted speed limit.

thank god none of them are on the highway. otherwise everyone would be getting a ticket. there's no way in hell i'm gonna go 55 on i94

I usually speed above and beyond the flow of traffic, and treat other vehicles as pylons to swerve around. So far, no issues and it is a very efficient way of travelling. The limits here are about 55mph, but everybody does 63mph, thus that gives me the right to do about 85-90mph.