I suppose we could start trafficking in tags stolen off our least favorite politician's vehicles.

That would change the rules in a hurry when we deliberately ran every red light having a camera!

What pisses me off is that they can afford to stick these cameras up but we can't get a traffic light at the intersection of Shaad Rd. and Oak Ridge Hwy. Have you ever seen the staggering amount they say it cost to install a traffic light? Oh yeah, you can avoid the ticket by not speeding and not running the red light. Novel idea, huh?

If it were only that easy. All they have to do is knock a couple of seconds on the time that the yellow light holds and their revenues go up.

See http://www.motorists.org/ for information on traffic enforcement and your rights.

I think the cameras could be a great tool if they weren't issuing tickets. If they wanted to use this to track a criminal on the streets or to record the action of a traffic accident for litigious (sp?) purposes they could be of great benefit. Only on major roads. No residential cameras. These cameras should be readily accessible to any citizen as we pay for them. Getting the timing of the yellow lights is simple math. Speed limit - distance to stop vehicle at that speed. It ain't rocket science. Concerned citizens such as yourself could then sue to have the timing changed. If the science is sound I'll chime right in there with you. We'll start a movement. But let's not stop technology because of dishonesty. I think it would be great to have the site available to me so I could survey the roads before I leave home. We could conserve energy by planning alternate routes and not sitting in a traffic jam on I-40 or Chapman Hwy. Wow, I sounded like a conservationist there. On a public road you shouldn't expect privacy. That's lunacy, however; you should not expect a speed trap either. I have no problems with anyone watching me drive down any public roads.

Just to clarify something I said. The cameras may be installed by a private company but they will be installed on public property. That says a lot. When I hear private company here I know I am getting fucked. If the government wants cameras then they should just do it themselves. This is one time when a private company is not needed. If the cameras are only being used for law enforcement then keep it internal. Let the citizens control their own neighborhoods. If abuse occurs then the citizens can elect folks who will listen. I definitely see your points Paul. Fight to change what is happening. You never know where support will come from. So my statement about being paid for by the citizens was wrong. Semantically. Got it right that time gonzone.

Your comment about being able to look up the cameras online and pick an alternate route reminded me of something. I think I read somewhere that those cameras they just installed around town on the highway that are in part of those big electronic signs along the highway are going to be online.

I was probably dreaming though. That would be too much to ask.

Paul,

We have cameras on the interstates and other major arteries here in Nashville. They are available on a website as webcams that refresh every minute. You can check it out here http://www.tennessean.com/traffic/. With any luck maybe Knoxville with put them online also.

Nice. I hope they do that with Knoxville's new system. I assume you noticed the towers and cameras when you came over on Thursday?

Honestly, I didn't notice the towers. But, I didn't go into Knoxville past Lovell Road. So, I only would have passed any towers West of that exit. My wife says I have tunnel vision while driving because I have a tendency to only pay attention to the road in front of me and the cars around me. There could have been a billboard of Halle Berry nude on the side of the interstate coming into Knoxville and I probably wouldn't have noticed it. I'm weird, I know.