S.f. Speed Cameras Are Generating Mountains of Tickets and Fines
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San Francisco's speed cameras are issuing a large number of tickets, sparking concerns about their effectiveness and fairness, with some commenters questioning their purpose and others expressing frustration with the fines.
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Consider SF parking enforcement. Operated by the transit authority and revenue goes to funding that authority. Enforcement is rigid, rapid and focuses on high revenue returns. Trading citizen quality of life for revenue. No contrast with parking enforcement in NYC. Performed by police with an eye towards public safety and order. The results are far more pleasant and reasonable and lo less orderly.
When you do it for the money you corrupt the purpose.
> About half of the drivers who got tickets were going between 16 and 20 miles an hour over the speed limit, a Chronicle analysis found, which incurs a $100 fine, though the amount is lower for people who qualify as low-income or receive public benefits.
Get caught here doing 30km/h over the speed limit and they suspend your license.
> The speed camera citations come at a critical time for street safety. Speeding is the leading cause of deadly collisions, and last year, 42 people were killed in car crashes in the city — the highest number in almost two decades.
It seems to me, that will total $365M in fines. How about instead of that money going to the government, it can just go to the families of people that die each year.