Be careful driving to HH and WDW this summer

[dis-happy]

http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/05/02/1226377/ridgeland-to-enforce-speeding.html

Basically, they're going to have speeding cameras on the I-95 and mail out tickets. SC mile marker 25-17.

 

[TiggerStac]

They are there now. we saw them when we were driving home last weekend. All of the sudden we saw 2 bright flashes, no clue what it was, got closer and I saw the camera and light set up. They were taking pics of the other side of highway (going south)

 

[joandegennaro]

While this might not be popular with most I don't see a problem with this. We go speed limit all the way from Ontario. Speeding really doesn't save you much, puts you and others at risk and costs you more in fuel. After all the posted speed limit is the LIMIT not the minimum!

 

[nytimez]

I love this part of the story:

"The company conducted a six-hour traffic study earlier this year on the highway and found that only about 120 of the 6,000 cars that passed were going more than 10 mph over the limit."

I just don't believe that. I drive the speed limit and most of traffic on I-95 passes me like I'm standing still. I'm fine with the law being enforced, but not so fine with Big Brother taking over. I also don't believe them when they say this isn't a moneymaker for the town. I'm sure they plan to make a bundle on this.

Generally speaking, I'm of the opinion that if these towns aren't maintaining the interstates, they shouldn't be out there issuing tickets on them.

 

[robertdangelo]

Speed cameras and Stop Light cameras are usually monitored and maintained by a 3rd party company. This process has turned into a money maker not only for municipalities, but businesses.

 

[dis-happy]

Bluffton got in big trouble a couple of years ago for issuing "town of Bluffton" tickets....they were keeping all the money instead of forwarding it to the state as required. It made up a huge percentage of their annual operating budget.

It would be interesting to see a breakdown of how much money Ridgeland will get to keep from this; no doubt there is a financial incentive. I haven't met a trucker yet that doesn't do 80 mph down the I-95 in SC. It would be pretty easy to get a ticket just keeping up with the flow of traffic.

 

[DisZip]

Traffic cameras are clearly a revenue stream and not a safety enforcement tool. The presence of the cameras may be a deterrent to some motorists (assuming clear notice is given in advance of the cameras locations), but on the whole, do little to stop those that continue to speed knowing the cameras are present.

What effect does a ticket that arrives in the mail a week later do to stop the original infraction - nothing. Now a state trooper or local police vehicle at the side of the road has 2 effects - one the traffic seeing the speed trap slows down, and second the speeding vehicles are pulled over, which instantly stops the "danger" they are causing.

Assuming that safety is their motivation, would the town and iTraffic be happy if this was 100% successful - that is to say that the deterrent effect of the presence of the cameras stopped all motorists from speeding and therefor no tickets were issued and no income generated? I think not.

 

[robertdangelo]

I agree... even a parked cruiser has a slowing effect.(even if no cop is in it)

 

[Disney Spaz]

I also agree. I live in a community that is stop and speed camera happy. The only thing it serves is revenue. I think I read somewhere citizens in a little town in the southwest banned together to remove them after they found them to have no impact on safety.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Whoo hoo!

I can't wait until they get this on all interstates. I am tired of people blowing past me or riding my butt while I obey the posted speed limits. I usually drive just under the Speed Limit because I get better gas mileage that way.

The ones that really get me are the folks with the American Flags flying and proudly disregarding the law.

 

[flipflopmom]

Since we are leaving Saturday, I had bookmarked this and wanted to look it up again. I found this article:

http://www.jaspercountysun.com/opinion/truth-about-i-95-cameras

So are they there or not??

We are usually stay with the flow of traffic kind of drivers, so it looks like as long as you aren't going over 80, you're going to be okay.

Any updates?

 

[bonrea]

We are in Daytona now and came down I-95 Saturday. I didn’t notice any cameras just the usual patrol cars in the median. I drive the limit+2mph or so; so I’m not worried about the cameras or getting any tickets.

I can tell you that the construction in GA is just about complete. In January there was a 27 mile stretch, they have completed and opened more so that is down to 15.5 miles of construction to slow you down. That difference cut off 45+ minutes to the drive and should be complete by next spring. So for us, from Charlotte, NC, that 9+ hour drive to WDW will be 7+ or just over 8+ in the future. No need to speed anyways.

 

[sssteele]

I am for anything that brings in revenue, and perhaps reduces the tax burden or tax increases. I have driven for over 40 years, and have received one speeding ticket - missed a sign droping a 40 to a 25 when entering a little town on route 100 in Vermont.
Most "accidents" are not accidents - they are the result of thoughtless drivers who talk on phones, text, read, and are in too much of a hurry whether they're commuting to work, going to the store for milk, or headed to a vacation destination. Yes, I'm sixty years old, but I have always had no tolerance for those who put themselves before the safety of their families and others. Let the speeders beware.

 

[Anal Annie]

Just glanced thru the article...I live in a county in Maryland that is absolutely polluted with red light and speed cameras so this is nothing new to me. Some are fixed and some are in mobile vans and many are set up as "traps". DH and I have both had our fair share of these babies in the mail. Best thing about them (here anyway) is that they carry no points because they can't prove who was driving and they are usually a reasonable amount ($45 here). ANYWAY, it says the posted speed limit through the area is 70 and it looks like they won't trigger unless you're going over 80 mph. I admit to being a speeder but I think 80 is a fair cap. Anything above that is just reckless and I am good with setting my cruise control on about 78 for a road trip - and I'll be sure to do that on our way down to HHI in August!!

 

[daisyduck123]

I admit to being a speeder but I think 80 is a fair cap.

Same with me. I'll be keeping my speed @75-78 on our way down.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Whoo hoo!

I can't wait until they get this on all interstates. I am tired of people blowing past me or riding my butt while I obey the posted speed limits. I usually drive just under the Speed Limit because I get better gas mileage that way.

The ones that really get me are the folks with the American Flags flying and proudly disregarding the law.

Me too!

I don't speed or run red lights. So, I don't care if it is revenue making or safety in mind.

My concern is the third party. I want to be sure of accuracy. False charges negate it. Just make sure it is accurate.

 

[cutakenta]

Whoo hoo!

I can't wait until they get this on all interstates. I am tired of people blowing past me or riding my butt while I obey the posted speed limits. I usually drive just under the Speed Limit because I get better gas mileage that way.

The ones that really get me are the folks with the American Flags flying and proudly disregarding the law.

What does speeding and a flag have to do with anything?
How can a third party enforce traffic laws?

You know prohibition was a Federal Law once.

 

[sleepydog25]

Traffic cameras are clearly a revenue stream and not a safety enforcement tool. The presence of the cameras may be a deterrent to some motorists (assuming clear notice is given in advance of the cameras locations), but on the whole, do little to stop those that continue to speed knowing the cameras are present.

What effect does a ticket that arrives in the mail a week later do to stop the original infraction - nothing. Now a state trooper or local police vehicle at the side of the road has 2 effects - one the traffic seeing the speed trap slows down, and second the speeding vehicles are pulled over, which instantly stops the "danger" they are causing.

Assuming that safety is their motivation, would the town and iTraffic be happy if this was 100% successful - that is to say that the deterrent effect of the presence of the cameras stopped all motorists from speeding and therefor no tickets were issued and no income generated? I think not.

This is an excellent observation, and one with which I totally agree. I have no problem with the cameras--even though they do smell of Big Brother overkill--if the legality of them has been established. But, it's disingenuous to suggest that safety is the primary factor at work here. As has been suggested, an empty, parked cruiser would be a far better deterrent than some notice in the mail days or weeks after the trip.

The town likely wishes to better their bottom line, and again, I have no qualms about this attempt to do so. However, just using simple math with the example cited in the article, the city theoretically would have earned $3K in a six-hour span. . .not bad work if you can get it. . .which makes their claim "this isn't a money-maker" patently false.

 

[marynvince]

I'll admit it, I am a fast driver, but a careful driver. On the highway I will set the cruise at 9mph over the posted limited. If you are in the passing lane and not passing i will flash you to move over and get po'd if you do not. Poor drivers that "park" in the passing lane and end up "pulling the train" as I like to call it, are a bigger hazard then am I. I'm not the fastest guy out there and generally i drive with the flow of the faster traffic.


2 years ago in DC i had a rental van. 3 speeding tickets via camera and one red light ticket. (I don't routinely go through lights and i'm sure it must have been yellow) The problem, I didnt get the tickets for 6 months after the infraction because I had a rental. At this point it is too late to contest the ticket and the charges are automatically put on the cc on file with the rental car company. Does any of this sound like it is ok? NO. What if the turnpike started gauging speen by the time stamp on your ticket, or by the time you passed through the gate with easypass??? Seems like my rights are being violated. For these tickets those cameras must have been clicking non-stop cause everyone was speeding around DC.

Also, had I received a ticket from a real person in real time, I would have slowed down as it would have had the desired affect of deterance. Oh wait, no, these cameras are a revenue stream. They are simply charging me a premium for driving fast, when in fact they should be charging the people that drive slower and use their road for a longer period of time.

2 cents

 

[zumfelde]

Why is it so many people think they only have to obey laws they want to? If the speed limit is 70 then obey it or pay the price. People need to take responsibility for their actions and not blame someone else if they get a tickets for speeding, remember YOU HAD A CHOICE at what speed to drive! I drive everyday for my job and it seems like almost everyone on the road just drives any way they want speeding, rolling through stop signs etc. Laws are made to protect everyone.