Lani Adams

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Traffic Cameras Monitoring
Lani Adams Megan Johnson
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Presentation Outline

• History
• How the cameras work
• Types of monitoring
• Pros Cons
• Supporters Opposers of Cameras
• Myths Misconceptions
• Actual Views More Information

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History

• Been Use for over 30 years
• First used in May 1973 on the Audubon
• Texas Switzerland were next to use it in the
  70s
• Australia began using it in 1983 and NY started
  using it ten years later
• In total 75 countries use traffic cameras,
  including, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Germany etc.

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How the Cameras Work

• Cameras are mounted on polls that are attached to
  the lights
• They are only powered on when the light turns red
• Sensors tell the camera when someone passes over
  the line

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How Cameras Work cont.

• The Cameras can determine the cars speed
• Pics are taken of the car before, in, and after
  the intersection
• Cameras only take pics when they are going
  15-20mph

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Types of Monitoring

• 35mm Cameras
• Digital Cameras
• Video
• Helicopters
• Live surveillance with photos

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Pros.

• Eliminates Racial Profiling
• Revenue earned goes to driving programs
• Photos are used for record keeping
• Accidents are reduced
• Frees up police officers
• Red light running dropped 65
• Pictures can be used to recreate accidents for
  insurance purposes
• Emergency personnel can be dispatched

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Supporters

• Local Government
• Law Abiding Citizens
• Institute for Highway Safety
• General Public Approval Rate is 60-70

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Cons

• Rear end accidents are on the rise
• Initial cost of cameras
• In DC 20,000 unfair tickets issued
• Lack of notification
• Percentage of Accidents are up
• Gateway for a surveillance state
• Infringes on Sixth Amendment rights

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Protestors

• National Motorist Association
• House Majority Leader Dick Armey
• AAA

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Myths Misconceptions

• You will not be ticketed for turning left on a
  red light after sitting in the intersection
  waiting for a gap that never appears.
• This is not Big Brother, pics are only taken of
  the license plates not the driver
• License plate picture
• Violations are mailed in a timely fashion, and
  you still have the right to dispute tickets in
  court

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Links to Relevant Sites

• Camera View from CA
• Our Web Page