Cameras catch speeders electronically.
The latest arsenal law enforcement utilizes is the traffic and radar camera. Because modern technology has made cameras and radar units small and affordable, they are commonly mounted on poles. Cameras and pole mounted radar are starting to replace the traditional method of an officer sitting roadside to catch speeders. The advantages of this method of law enforcement are many fold, like simply mailing a violator a ticket.
Cost Savings
If you think about the true financial cost of an officer sitting by the side of the road, costs quickly pile up. First, a salary must be paid. Second, the cost of the patrol car and car maintenance is added in. Third, the cost of radar equipment is added in as well. With radar cameras, all these costs are negated. One officer sitting in a control room can monitor 50 cameras. When a camera/radar is triggered, it automatically takes a picture of the car. The camera is strategically placed, so the license plate is visible in the photograph. The police department mails a ticket to the offender. If the offender does not pay the fine, a warrant will probably be issued for his arrest.
Public Safety
If an officer has to sit roadside, that's one less officer patrolling the streets. By freeing up the police officer to do more patrolling, public safety is enhanced.
Community Improvements
Economics Help states that speed cameras are good for community life in general. If motorists know speed cameras are in force, they will slow down. This makes for safer streets, since many residential neighborhoods do not want people speeding through streets. Signs may announce speed cameras, giving the motorists fair warning.
Decreased Accidents
Many police constables wholeheartedly support hidden cameras. Since motorists know that cameras may be anywhere, they have "fear" and comply with the speed limit laws, says Med Hughes, an officer in South Yorkshire, England. Hughes says this is a great deterrent to speeding, and it reduces accidents.
Tags: officer sitting, speed cameras, catch speeders, motorists know
