In a recent article published by the Washington Examiner, D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier provided her somewhat biased opinions regarding iPhone applications that allow the user to circumvent police speed traps as well as sobriety checkpoints.
“I think that’s the whole point of this [iPhone] program,” she told The Examiner. “It’s designed to circumvent law enforcement — law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives.”
Lanier then stated that the use of this technology for such purposes is a “cowardly tactic” and “people who overly rely on it and break the law anyway are going to get caught.”
While I can certainly see Lanier’s point of view, I do strongly believe that the point of a speed trap is to deter unsafe driving, not to provide the city with another source of revenue. Sobriety checkpoints are a whole different story, there is absolutely no excuse for driving drunk and blatantly endangering those around you.
What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment (or two) below.
Be sure to check out the full article here
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July 14th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Good point I agree with both of ur points spear traps should def. Not be a source of money for the gov. But check points are needed. But I wonder what exactly is to come of this, shut down the app or what?
July 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Speed traps are definitely a source of revenue. The smaller the population of the area, the more it becomes an issue. The fact police feel they need to maintain a high issue count of tickets each month should indicate its true purpose. Speed limits are set for safety purposes but in many areas they are set far too low and drivers may drive at a safe speed only to get pinned with a ticket to punish them for being “unsafe”. Drivers that drive considerably lower than the speed limit put time undue pressure on people who are working with time constraints and hence force them to speed. Obviously people are going to speed regardless. I realize there’s another side to this but if you are not a safe driver are are not capable of what every other driver is capable of then you should not be on the road in the first place. Worse are people who are capable but lack the attention span to be safe. I’m 100% positive more wrecks result from carelessness. Us Americans need to stop worrying about how enjoyable the ride is and drive to get there. Do you want to know the difference between us and other countries when it comes to driving approaches? We drive for no good reason (enjoyment, boredom, etc.) while other countries drive to get from point A to point B.
On a side note: seniors should have to retake or relearn driving exams or courses when they hit a certain age. Many older citizens have reactions and senses are dulled past a safe level but they still drive because they feel they need to or need to maintain a sense of independence. Far less safe than slightly speeding with normal senses while paying attention to the road if you ask me.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I have had the opportunity to see this application in use, and it really works for making people slow down. I had a chauffered limo in Washington and while he was demonstrating the app, he was frequently slowing down for speed traps, etc, although there were no policemen in the area at the time. Ironically, my husband is a retired police chief and was in the car at the time.
I think the application works better than the actual traps! Our chauffer had to slow down three times, although only one spot was actually populated. My husband agreed that the app DOES work to slow people
down. He was not at all concerned that they weren’t apprehended as they’re just normal people driving carelessly. The application makes them pay attention, and that’s a good thing.
I think the opinion of this particular chiefsos just a blip. Most enforcent officers I know are less
concerned with apprehending speeders than they are about saving lives.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Oh, P.S. If “slower” drivers are consistantly getting in your your way, and you’re working with “time constraints”, then you just need to get up five minutes earlier, or skip that trip to Starbucks on your way in to work. (sheesh)
July 15th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Speed “Traps” are made to catch people speeding. They don’t slow people down. Now, if people know where the speed traps are, they are more likely to slow down in that area.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
What app are they refering to anyway?
July 15th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
This is some bull why is it you can drive old but not drunk? Both can’t see what their doing!!! Speed traps are made for revenue that’s it!!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Speeding tickets cost the states more than they make in revenue. It may boost one town’s revenue but it hurts us overall. It’s a terrible and ineffective practice and we should do whatever we can to end it.
If the police really want to slow people down, they just need to drive the speed limit. Conspicuous reinforcement. I hope they ever do but that’s the key.
By the way – I have an issue with slower drivers telling everyone else to “deal with it”. First, the speed limits are artificially low, set a half century ago by a misinformed administration. Second, it’s not SPEED that causes accidents, speed variance is the major issue along with distracted drivers and aggression. Plus, there’s no way in a car to say politely “excuse me” so someone would move over, as they would on a sidewalk. I don’t see people telling pedestrians to “deal” with walking slowly, right? Slowing people down? Please be courteous and let them by. They may have a very good reason for needing to move faster than you.
Police calling this cowardly – funny. Speed traps couldn’t be more cowardly.
July 18th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Cops are Douchebags!!!! I’m not talking about the heroes who save lives. Our society needs them and I thank them for their service. I’m talking about the glorified moving meter maid douchebags whose sole purpose is to harass and ticket people. They shouldn’t be allowed the wear the same uniform. When did “to serve and protect” turn into “to stop you and be a dik”? CHP can suck it!!!!