I know I've got a lead foot sometimes, but I'm not crazy about it...rarely go over the limit by more than 5 MPH. Nevertheless, when I need to get somewhere in a hurry, sometimes the traffic just seems to go so slow...and I know just the streets to travel where I can get away with it!
NOT ANYMORE! Pima County is going to install Photo/Radar enforcement cameras in strategic locations around the Tucson Metro Area. They are going active April 1, 2009 (gee, what an April Fool's present, huh?). To get all of us used to the photo/radar cameras, there will be a 7-day warning period...then smile buddy, that will be a nice chunk you've contributed to our budget.
The photo/radar locations in Tucson are concentrated in commuting corridors that are generally 40-45 MPH zones that are used by locals as "get there" avenues. Getting to & from the Foothills, across the Foothills, up & back from Oro Valley, across the southern part of town by the airport and north & south in the southwest part of town. Green Valley also sports one, but you can't go fast there anyway because there will be cars in both lanes traveling 5 miles under the speed limit at all times, unless you're there past 8PM, after everything's closed already.
One thing that Pima County is doing that is particularly sneaky is installing the photo/radar cameras in between intersections, where you're usually speeding up to get around somebody who is too busy talking on their cell phone to drive (a REALTOR® ?), trying to save the planet by accelerating just enough to coast to a rolling stop at the next light or towing a rickety trailer to the next landscaping job.
I know, I know...it will make the roads safer for everyone, and I really don't need to be in such a hurry sometimes. Yes, the county needs to make money somehow, but it takes some of the fun out of it all, some of the thrill to get away with SOMETHING. In this day and age of having to take my shoes off, make sure there's no hidden toothpaste tube in my carryon bag and ditch the bottled water just to get on a plane...*sigh*...its getting a little tiresome to be protected so much.
Anyone got any "iffy" cheese I can nibble on with my whine? Gotta get some edginess into my life!
Specializing in Buyer & Seller Representation in the Tucson, Arizona real estate market.
All original material written by Kent Simpson unless attributed to source.©2011, 2010, 2009,2008,2007
"Never forget - Real Estate Is About People"
I always have to remind myself, that no appointment is worth a speeding ticket...just do the limit and explain if I am late...better yet, try to leave early enough so there is no need to speed!
Just think about the gas you will be saving by slowing down a bit!
We went to see our son when he was stationed in Germany and after getting home got a notice that our credit card had been debited for an extra $15 for a ticket. To this day we don't know what we did. I know it was a small amount but it still struck me the wrong way. I hope we don't get to that extreme over here.
Now as far as that speeding goes. After taking defensive driving I don't know how many times my foot is much lighter.
Thanks for coming by, Pat - must remember, must remember, must remember! LOL
Brent - thanks, I think.
Marchel - what would scare me is: How did they get your credit card info?
Hi Ken~ Yes, those cameras will catch all of the speeders! I generally drive the speed limit, and try not to get in too much of a hurry. I sure would hate for a camera or a policeman to catch me speeding!
Vickie - I'd hate to get a ticket too...I've had exactly 1 (one) in the past 15 years!
Kent - I have to admit that getting a ticket via camera would really bug me. If you catch me "fair and square", so be it, but this seems lazy. Just my opinion -
Hi Ken, drive the speed limit ... it will take the worry (and expense) out of getting ticketed. There is a speed limit for a reason.
Good reminder. I just got a ticket after not having one for 8 Years!!!!
Jason - my feelings exactly!
Darla - I'm sure that's what my Dad would say.
Tina - ouch!
The unarrestable crime...speeding while looking in the rear view for cops... that would be good for our community too :)
Kent, I went back to read the other responses because I found this post very interesting. I happen to notice a comment about "this seems lazy". My son is a police officer and he has bigger things to do than catch drivers going a bit too fast. Lazy has nothing to do with it. These officers put their lives in the face of danger every day for you and your loved ones. Be thankful.
Sally - you got me!
Darla - by no means is this post, nor any comment that I've seen so far, meant as a slam against police officers, nor to disregard their sacrifices or value to the community. They do a dangerous and all too often thankless service for the citizens. Please don't read things into this thread that aren't there.
There are serious Constitutional issues with red light cameras and speeding cameras. To start with, there is no ability to face your accuser. And in the case of the red light cams, they actually increase accidents where they are deployed... but cities and counties are cleaning up with the fines.
Kent - you are lucky not to be in Finland getting a speeding ticket. There it is tied to your income. So, if you make a good living the ticket will be much more than on a minimum wage. A year or so ago, the Boss of NOKIA got caught speeding and his fine was around $103,000. I guess he could afford it. ~Rita
Kent, I think that the photo radar should be against the law, they should at least have an officer there to write the ticket! This may make our streets safer, but like it or not it is another form of taxation, or gathering revenue.
Kent if we don't speed, we shouldn't have to worry about the cameras. They're kind of like speed bumps, they make you slow down.
Kent - wow radar cameras. We have cameras at intersections and I did not even know there are radar cameras now. I kind of feel like I drive slow now wondering what the hurry is - it might be different if I had my GT3 . . . ; - )))
Kent- Welcome to life in the big city... especially the big/cash strapped city. I've had my photo taken a couple time in the past few years.
Kent, great article, it's only a matter of time before BIG BROTHER is watching all of us, all the time!
Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
Regina P. Brown
In California its normal to drive 80 when the speed limit is 65. You can always tell when someone from out of state is driving in front or around you.
It is interesting to see the mix of responses that are coming out. Some folks are dead-set against the thought of anyone breaking the speed limit while others argue the legality or "fair play" of robotic punishment. This post was not written with the intent of sparking such debate, but I'm intrigued and enjoying the discussion.
Looking at the geographic breakdown, it seems that most of the people offended by speeding (and the attitude I took in this post) are from the Midwest or Eastern U.S. On the other side, most who are against the radar cameras or admit to speeding tend to live in the West or Southwest, where things are more spread out & freedoms are looked at in a different way...and the federally mandated 55 MPH limit went they way of the dodo as soon as the tie to highway funds was lifted.
Right or wrong, technology is changing things in all aspects of life good & bad. While I don't think the intent is to impose Big Brother-like regulation and control over society, the thought does come to mind. Like Chuck Willman said, "Welcome to life in the big city...especially the big cash-strapped city." The financial rewards of such things will not be ignored by governmental bodies. The question of how far we allow things to go in the name of revenue generation and forced adherence to minor laws will be an ongoing debate in many venues to come.
Hmmm...
Lane, Brian & Rita, Tony & Darcy, Michael, Sharon, Chuck, Regina, Shameca - thank you all for stopping by and adding your thoughts!
there Kent, my friend
Heres a sign to print and put on your car's front window. Best have it facing out.
Just in case, you may also want to put it on your back window also. lol
I read on the net, that Ontario is going to impose $10,000 fines for speeding. You best stay away from there, my friend.
I don't think there should be a speed limit at all on rural interstates. In town is different, but there are a lot of areas where the speed limits are artificially low... just for the purpose of revenue generation. The cameras are specifically designed to make revenue generation more efficient. There are already multiple municipalities that have been nailed for tweaking the yellow duration on intersections with red light cameras... do you think that makes the intersection safer?
I'll have to remember this when I go visit my Dad.