Theoretically, are speed cameras not such a bad idea? I don't mean the kind to make society into a de facto police state, with automatic license plate monitoring, etc. They simply take pictures of very slow and very fast drivers' plates which get sent to a database with their registered addresses. On Allen Parkway today, three idiots across all lanes were driving at about the same speed thus making a wall of cars that slowed down everyone behind them. Earlier on the freeway, someone was going ~90 mph in a 65 mph zone. Both occasions could have been mitigated by min/max speed cameras. On most 35 mph streets, speed traffic cameras should ticket anyone going faster than 45 mph and slower than 30 mph (who isn't slowing down to take a turn). A police officer can still issue citations like now. The cameras simply give some drivers flexibility to speed (because we all do). The same applies for the freeway. Also, there should be HOV cameras as several drivers this morning got away with it.
All we need is for the police to start pulling over and educating/ticketing the people that are causing traffic. It seems like people don't know the laws of the road anymore (like slow traffic keep right and the left lane is for passing). I would actually like to see a whole new department of the police devoted solely to alleviating traffic. Houston has to be wasting billions of dollars per year sitting in traffic. Whether you purposefully drive slow in the left lane ("I am going fast enough!) or are just completely oblivious to what's going around outside your vehicle, you're an ahole.
When did you become so concerned? I drive HOV every day with my 3 month old. Those cameras would never let them know I had someone else in the car. Also, there has to be a better use of taxpayer money then cameras, because we have drivers who get mad at others for breaking the rules. Let the system do its thing.
Have you never heard of near infrared cameras? Your child would be easily visible. Besides, my vehicle was tall enough to clearly see that there were no other occupants. These cars saw legitimate HOV cars drive by fast, and they decided to cheat by crossing over the boundary and weaving in and out of traffic. The system clearly doesn't "do its thing." I dislike people who cut lines/jump queues. You may be one of those that stay silent while you watch others cheat. Perhaps you cut lines yourself. Either way, it's illegal when doing it on the HOV.
Good post. I agree with the main idea that there are too many poorly trained/uneducated drivers. Driving is a privilege, yet most Americans don't realize it. I disagree with bobmarley. I think the most cost effective incentive for drivers to not drive too slow/fast/cheat the HOV would be cameras. Although different, your solution would cost a lot more to implement and pay for. Some anti-camera people are ignorant of the how the status quo wastes time and money, not just for Houston, but other major cities. Bad drivers need to pay heavily for their effect on the system.
