PSY 409a, December 5, 2005

My Ninth Outline of Assigned Readings

By Karis Amano

Big Brother Watching

Rothe, J. Peter. “Red-Light Cameras.” Driving Lessons, Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. Ed. J. Peter Rothe. Edmonton, Alberta: The University of Alberta Press, 2002. 291-303.

Instructions for this activity are found at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Concept 1 – Red-Light Cameras

a) Cameras situated at traffic lights that take pictures of cars in violation of red light signals.

b) When people drive through red lights, this causes crashes with other vehicles or colliding with pedestrians. Besides detecting when people enter an intersection at a red light, these cameras are now also being used to see who barrels on through intentionally or those who must brake hard or do, but unwillingly enter the intersection as a result of speed.

c) I like this idea of red-light cameras. If someone is caught violating these laws, they will have their and/or their car’s picture taken and then receive a ticket in the mail. This will hopefully discourage these people from speeding through intersections and putting others in danger.

Concept 2 – Privacy

a) The purpose of red-light cameras is to take pictures of red-light runners but some drivers feel this is a violation of privacy.

b) Red-light cameras can be designed to take on the rear license plate of a car but some drivers feel that their cars are personally to them and do not want them to be photographed.

c) I feel that if you do not want your car to be photographed, then do not run red lights. It sounds easy to do and it is not that difficult to achieve.

Concept 3 – Camera Warnings

a) The Department of Transportation uses signs to warn drivers about the use of red-light cameras.

b) When there are signs warning drivers about red-light cameras, drivers’ awareness heighten which reduce the rate of red-light running.

c) I think that using signs is a smart way to make sure people are aware of the cameras although sometimes near by trees can grow and cover these signs and after a while they often go unnoticed.