So many of the tragedies that occur between civilians and police officers begin with a traffic stop. Traffic stops are no fun. I can see how they can be scary for the officer.
So, could we somehow use cameras on cars to record the infraction and then the officer could follow the car simply to record some identifying information and then send the ticket in the mail?
It could still be contested, but with video evidence, it should be harder to fight. Maybe this would have some other benefits, like cops having to spend less time in court defending a questionable ticket. That’s just one possible side effect.
I think lessoning the personal interaction in these types of transactions, could have very good results.
What do you guys think? What sort of problems do you foresee?
On every car? If so, who would pay for this? Where and how would the video be stored, and who would go through it looking for violations? If you think an AI could do it then who pays for that as well as the computers to do it? This would cost the world to do on a large scale, unless you are just talking about single purpose system strategically placed for things like traffic light/stop sign violations or speeding tickets.
Also, this wouldn’t help stop a drunk driver or someone driving recklessly, as the ticket would be in the mail, not real time, so I don’t see the need for real human police in the loop somewhere regardless.
True enough. When some day self driving cars have become the norm, many reasons for traffic stops might go away.
Even today, some transgressions can be prosecuted without having to stop the cars. I do not know about the US, but here in Europe when you are caught speeding or ignoring a red light, the first thing you learn about it is from a letter arriving at your house with a not too flattering photo and a hefty check.
However, that will never work for all transgressions. If the police see you do something that poses a risk to yourself or others - like driving at night with no lights on - they will have to stop you.
From a civil rights perspective, let’s say you get a letter in the mail saying you ran a stop sign a month ago, please pay the $500 fine. How are you supposed to defend yourself?
Traffic stops, in large part, are the way cops get to interact and investigate suspicious cars and drivers. In many instances, the infraction is just needed to open the door to talking to a driver. It’s dangerous, but it’s part of proper police work.
Also, it removes all discretion from the LEO to give warnings, education, and learn about extenuating circumstances.
A social downside. If ALL a cop has to do is drive behind you (get your tag #), then say drive in front of or beside you (to get a picture of your face say) and that is all linked to relevant video/data for evidence traffic cops could produce a LOT more tickets than they do now with the whole stop and chat routine.
So, you’d have a lot more people being pissed about getting tickets and probably be pissed about the “unfairness” of the whole thing and let’s not forget the whole “its just a way for them to make money” baloney as well.
Of course the whole concept of “just obey the law” escapes these types (and IMO are way to common).
In Canada, you call the small claims court and ask for a hearing. The cop who clocked you going over the speed limit (or the operator of the red-light camera) will show up and present their evidence. If they fail to show up (too busy elsewhere), you win. If they show up, you almost certainly loose and pay the fine.
But we never hear about the thousands and thousands of traffic stops that are routine, some of which get unsafe or drunk drivers off the road or get speeding or distracted drivers to slow down or pay attention.
I just love the assumption that invasive technology (and robots) will enhance personal freedom.
It does sound lovely though - the drunk weaving all over the road, the guy whose appearance and vehicle match the description of an armed robbery/abduction suspect - just automatically take a photo, send 'em a ticket in the mail, and hey presto! - problem solved.
I have never had a problem with traffic stops; has anyone here? While sometimes I get a traffic ticket, the law enforcement officers have always acted professionally while I have always acknowledged their authority/deferred to them.
Don’t forget, “actually makes it less safe because <unverifiable circuitous (or even perfectly valid) reason>”
Red light cameras and photo radar (for speeding) have been tried already in locales where I lived, and that was basically the reason why they were cancelled. People won’t support enforcement for crimes *they *commit, just ones that *other *people commit.
I don’t think this kind of thing is really fair.
Seems like you would be ticketing the car. The driver may not be the one who is the registered owner of the car.
Most of your so called “tragedies” involve a shitbag, not civilians John & Jane Q. Public who had a momentary lapse, went 15 over the limit, and got a bullet in the head over it.
I’m tired of these threads trying to make it look like somehow cops doing their job are doing something wrong when things don’t go well. And for the few times some officers do screw up, do some math for Christ sake. Approximately 1 million peace officers (give or take) for 320+ million people. The handful of misbehavior incidences are no reason to overhaul anything.
And meanwhile drivers who have serious felony warrants for their arrest aren’t apprehended*. Then when such people are free to victimize others, the OP will whine that the police aren’t doing enough to protect the public from criminals.
*FYI a large amount of people with warrants get picked up due to traffic stops.