Patrick Sonia Nzaddi Djidjou Professor Sharifian Government 2306-73434 1 May 2017 Local control over red light cameras in Texas Should red light cameras be banned throughout the state?
This issue and more are recurrent in debates concerning local control and determining what citizens should do or not irrespective of their ownership or privacy limits. 1 “Local control is a policy preference favored by many in the Lone Star State, but its misuse and misapplication over the years has enabled the rise of a whole host of bad public policies.” (Texas Public Policy) According to Matt Rinaldi, “Local control is an important principle that should guide lawmakers in their consideration of bills that affect local government.” This suggests that lawmakers …show more content…
When the bills drawn start to infringe on privacy or its implementation does not create positive change nor is it respected throughout the state, it becomes a problem. An example would be the ban on plastic bags; it could have solid reasons for that if it is pointed out that, it is a non-biodegradable material and managing plastic waste is costly and damaging. A better and appropriate option can be proposed as to use card board paper bags and reusable bags that can last a while. In the case of red traffic light cameras, the controversy comes when not all localities have allowed the use of these cameras. And so while driving and leaving one area to another, the rules change and a red light violation becomes a problem. According to U.S.news, supporters of red light cameras, including police and trauma experts, say they help uphold the law and reduce crashes. This perception although it should not be overlooked, hardly reflects the reality of traffic circumstances. Reports from daily traffic information suggests that a higher percentage of accidents occur on the highways which are void of traffic lights. Moreover, how are accidents occurring in areas without traffic lights …show more content…
So, the notion that traffic lights reduce accidents is quite far-fetched. A driver who crosses a red light and causes and accident would have been involved irrespective of red lights. So, to propose that a driver will stop at a traffic light because it turned red and avoid an accident, sounds more unreal than someone crossing a green light because he/she was manipulating a phone and got distracted. 2 Some critics suggest that, these cameras are an invasion of privacy and a burden on drivers who have to prove their innocence and are used to raise cash for local governments. (U.S. news) in as much as the former might not be serious, the latter points out that, the tickets imposed on drivers due to red traffic lights, creates a tension on drivers who strain to prove they did or did not violate this traffic law, and on the rare occasion it is forgiven, the fine of not less than $75 as per the state of Texas, is paid to the local government which they use to raise
This issue and more are recurrent in debates concerning local control and determining what citizens should do or not irrespective of their ownership or privacy limits. 1 “Local control is a policy preference favored by many in the Lone Star State, but its misuse and misapplication over the years has enabled the rise of a whole host of bad public policies.” (Texas Public Policy) According to Matt Rinaldi, “Local control is an important principle that should guide lawmakers in their consideration of bills that affect local government.” This suggests that lawmakers …show more content…
When the bills drawn start to infringe on privacy or its implementation does not create positive change nor is it respected throughout the state, it becomes a problem. An example would be the ban on plastic bags; it could have solid reasons for that if it is pointed out that, it is a non-biodegradable material and managing plastic waste is costly and damaging. A better and appropriate option can be proposed as to use card board paper bags and reusable bags that can last a while. In the case of red traffic light cameras, the controversy comes when not all localities have allowed the use of these cameras. And so while driving and leaving one area to another, the rules change and a red light violation becomes a problem. According to U.S.news, supporters of red light cameras, including police and trauma experts, say they help uphold the law and reduce crashes. This perception although it should not be overlooked, hardly reflects the reality of traffic circumstances. Reports from daily traffic information suggests that a higher percentage of accidents occur on the highways which are void of traffic lights. Moreover, how are accidents occurring in areas without traffic lights …show more content…
So, the notion that traffic lights reduce accidents is quite far-fetched. A driver who crosses a red light and causes and accident would have been involved irrespective of red lights. So, to propose that a driver will stop at a traffic light because it turned red and avoid an accident, sounds more unreal than someone crossing a green light because he/she was manipulating a phone and got distracted. 2 Some critics suggest that, these cameras are an invasion of privacy and a burden on drivers who have to prove their innocence and are used to raise cash for local governments. (U.S. news) in as much as the former might not be serious, the latter points out that, the tickets imposed on drivers due to red traffic lights, creates a tension on drivers who strain to prove they did or did not violate this traffic law, and on the rare occasion it is forgiven, the fine of not less than $75 as per the state of Texas, is paid to the local government which they use to raise