Activists in Scottsdale, Arizona trained their own telephoto lenses on a speed camera operator at around 5pm in the afternoon on Thursday. Members of the group Camerafraud.com wanted to give the public a rare glimpse inside an active speed trap– the same view that the photo radar van’s own photographic equipment has while peering through the windows of passing vehicles. “If only there were some sort of law preventing high-powered cameras from taking photographs of unsuspecting people inside their vehicles,” the group wrote on its website. Although Scottsdale’s speed camera vans bear the markings of police vehicles, they are owned and operated by American Traffic Solutions (ATS). A paid ATS employee, Daniel P. Coon in this case, is responsible for driving the vehicle to ticketing locations and ensuring the vehicle is not vandalized. The group’s photographs showed Coon at a laptop adjusting the Axsis software that powers the lucrative enforcement program. The screen also showed that drivers at the East Chaparral Boulevard location had slammed on their brakes while passing the van, slowing to an average of just 18 MPH to avoid receiving a citation. After noticing the photographer, Coon quickly blocked the van’s windows to protect his privacy.
Find Reviews by Make:
Read all comments
While I think that abuse of red light cameras is bad, stuff like this is just as bad, if not worse. If you have a cause, there is a right way and a wrong way of going about supporting it. You do go through the legal and conventional methods; elected officials, public data, etc. You do not harass the employees of the company providing the red light service. There is no surer way to plant your movement in society’s lunatic fringe than to have your group pull some protest stunt. Honestly, if you follow the rules of the road these folks should never be an issue. Pull a slightly harder stop rather than blow through a yellow, keep yourself within a reasonable speed.
That being said, people are really stupid. 18 mph? Unless you’re in a parking lot, by a school or the weather is exceptionally poor; there should be no reason to go 18 on a road. The fact that it was a reaction to a speed trap just shows me that they’re fine with breaking the rules until their wallet is on the line.
why arizona ? It’s the west, for god’s sake. I am sure Mr. Coon sits there to prevent Smith and Wesson from talking to the lens.
Why Arizona ? I could see this in the east, maybe but the open west ? Land of freedom and distrust of central government ?
Inquiring minds want to know.
arapaima>
You reap what you sow. Nothing wrong with taking pictures of the operator if he’s taking pictures of you, right? He is in the public view, right? If you are in public you have no right to privacy.
Also, I RARELY slow down if I’m on my bike at a yellow, as usually there is a vehicle 5-10x my size ready to rearend me.
The only way I’d slow is if the person behind me is slowing and there is no one attempting to turn left infront of me.
I’ll take a ticket over death, thank you :)
Sadly this photo enforcement nonsense has spread beyond Scottsdale to other suburbs in the Phoenix area. The eastern loop 101 through Scottsdale has speed cameras and now the city of Phoenix is install a few on the western loop 101 around Glendale. Photo enforcement vehicles are also showing up in the area, they are usually Ford Escapes or GM’s last minivans made up to look like police vehicles. I really don’t think people should roll over and take this, the slippery slope will eventually lead to where the UK is today and does anyone want that in this country?
TriShield :
…the slippery slope will eventually lead to where the UK is today and does anyone want that in this country?
Um…yes, apparently “most” people do want this (or at least they don’t care enough to vocally oppose it), or it would not be happening.
trishield> I really don’t think apathy = desire.
arapaima :. Honestly, if you follow the rules of the road these folks should never be an issue.
Did you read the story yesterday? Or perhaps this one?
Grabbing your ankles when the government comes up with a program like this “for your safety” may seem appropriate to some people. Personally, I am glad there are a few who still believe in what this country stands for. These protestors are demonstrably less of a danger to society than the van drivers.
RichardD: I have read those, but I know the town I’m from has the worst driving statistics in the state. I also know that light cameras and speed traps has significantly reduced the number of accidents in the area.
Now personally I do support red light cameras and police activity on roads where speeding is rampant, for the reason of safety. If a program is transparent and audited regularly then issues concerning corruption and improper ticketing are reduced. You can claim a slippery slope to a situation like the UK, but you’ll have an awfully hard time proving to anyone that small things like the light cameras will lead to it.
arapaima : I also know that light cameras and speed traps has significantly reduced the number of accidents in the area.
Ok, and you know this, how? Because you put your full faith and trust in the people who simultaneously evaluate the programs and collect the profit from them? They would never lie about statistics, I’m sure. These are all wrong, too.
You can claim a slippery slope to a situation like the UK, but you’ll have an awfully hard time proving to anyone that small things like the light cameras will lead to it.
Absolutely right. Small things like red light cameras could never become part of a surveillance state. There are no such plans. Move along, citizen. The state knows what’s best for you.
The screen also showed that drivers at the East Chaparral Boulevard location had slammed on their brakes while passing the van, slowing to an average of just 18 MPH to avoid receiving a citation.
This happens on my way to work when they set up speed traps. It’s not down to 18 mph as it’s on the interstate, but it does back up commuting hour traffic and has the potential to cause accidents when speeds fall by 15 mph around the traps and especially when they have someone pulled over. But as far as the city cares, their collecting additional revenue.
Well RichardD, I get my statistics from the state DOT, which doesn’t get a thing from the cameras, they just track things like accident rates, injury rates, etc. I have no issues with red light cameras, but I think speed cameras are a problem. At the same time there are studies from the iihs showing the reduction of front/side crashes with the use of cameras coupled with an increase in rear endings. Given a choice between the two I’ll take the latter.