Psychology 409-001 December 2, 2005

My Third Outline of Assigned Readings
By Mari Osakoda
The twenty-four Hour Ticketer

Peter Rothe, Editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press). Chapter 20-Red Light Cameras. Rothe, Peter Pages 291-303

Instructions for this activity are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James

· Red Light Cameras

o Red light cameras are set up at red lights to take pictures of cars that violate the traffic signal. They take a picture of the car that has run through the red light and their function is to assist the police, enhance traffic safety, deter risk and bring in income.

o These cameras work 24 hours a day 365 days a year; they don’t take breaks or need down time. This helps in consistent monitoring of a problem that the regular police officers can’t always keep track of.

o I agree with this concept because most people feel that it is unfair that they get a ticket. Police officers “catch” someone speeding or running a light and they are punished for it. Drivers feel that it is unfair that they got caught doing something that they have gotten away with in the past. Cameras are non-discriminatory and don’t let people get away with running the light.

· Ethical issues

o Privacy violations, personal rights, and other ethical issues are brought up during discussions of red-light cameras. Drivers sometimes feel that their privacy is being violated with the installation of red light cameras. Most of these ethical issues are dismissed because public safety takes precedence over privacy.

o When the van-cams were installed all over the island many people were opposed to them because they felt that they could not pay attention to the road and the speedometer at the same time. People also felt like their privacy were being invaded and many wanted the van-cams out.

o The safety of the overall population takes priority over people’s issues about privacy. A person’s right to be safe while driving or walking is more important that worrying about getting a ticket.

· Social Issues

o The key issue that should be addressed when red-light cameras are introduced is social acceptance. Those who propose red-light cameras need to sell them to the public as a tool to deter dangerous and unacceptable behavior.

o If the legislators who proposed the van-cams should have come to the public and presented evidence as to how dangerous speeding is and how many people are killed as a result of it. If they were introduced as a tool to help save lives they might still be here today.

o When anything new is introduced those who propose it need to get the community involved so they don’t feel like something is being forced on to them. Getting the publics opinion on something before it is enacted helps people feel more invested and connected to the issue at hand.

(i) My Home Page: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/osakoda/home.htm

(II) The G23 Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm

(iii)  Related Web Links: 

· http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersections/redl_cameras.htm- Federal Highway Administration on Red light cameras

· http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33271-2005Feb17.html- Washington Post article

· http://www.highwayrobbery.net/- A website opposing red light cameras in California