What? Are you saying it's MY fault?

Sometimes I just don't get people.  I swear, they absolutely drive me crazy sometimes.  We have devolved into a culture that doesn't look at the big picture, that is completely self-centered and refuses to accept any level of personal responsibility.

You'll find that many of my rants will have something to do with driving.  It's my opinion that people are at their absolute worst behind the wheel.  But I digress...

There's currently a measure in Toledo to make their Red Light Cameras illegal.  The opponents have generally all gotten tickets from the camera, which means their vehicle ran a red light.

The opponents claim that yellow light durations have been decreased so more people can be nabbed.  My argument, a yellow light means - "caution, I'm about to turn red", not "step on it so you don't have to waste 2-3 minutes of your life at this particular red light".  Folks, you're not supposed to run a yellow light.  You're supposed to be responsible and slow down in preparation for the red light, which gives right-of-way to the vehicles that have been waiting for their own red light.

The opponents claim that the camera rob the accused of due process, the law of the land and the lawful enactment of the process of law.  Dude - they have a picture of you running a red light.  Your due process is safe because your crime has been proven without a reasonable doubt.  Pay your fine.

Opponents say that red light camera erode civil liberties.  From Wikipedia:  "Civil liberties are freedoms that protect the individual from the government.  Civil liberties set limits for government so that it cannot abuse its power and interfere with the lives of its citizens.  Common civil liberties include the rights of people, freedom from religion, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, and additionally, the right to due process, to a fair trial, to own property, and to privacy."  Nowhere does it say someone has the right to break the law, the right to run a red light or the right to disregard the safety of others.

Opponents claim that the red light cameras take money out of the pockets of hard-working people who are struggling to make ends meet.  It's a penalty - a punishment because you did something against the law.  If you litter, you pay a fine.  If you speed you pay a fine.  If you run a red light, you pay a fine.  Cameras were not put up for nothing - people were running red lights and the city knew that they couldn't have cops baby-sitting every intersection.  The cameras are an inexpensive way to babysit, since obviously people in their cars can't behave.

Then of course, there's the money argument.  Obviously, opponents who have been nabbed feel that the cameras are stealth money machines for the local government and the companies they partner with to get the cameras.  The city is greedy.  They're solving their revenue problems by erecting red light cameras and trapping drivers with shorter yellow light durations and so on.

The two points the opponents have merits on are these: first, the car owner gets the ticket, not the actual driver.  If your kid/spouse/friend borrows your car and gets a glamour shot of an unlawful indiscretion, you're paying.  Second, defendants in red light camera cases contend that because of the picture of proof, there is a presumption of guilt going in, rather than a presumption of innocence.  Okay - let's clear those items up, then let's all make a deal NOT to run red lights anymore, mmm-kay?

So.  Self-centered.  " I should be able to run a red light if I want to."  No, it's against the law and it endangers the public.  Would you shove ahead to a line at Disneyland?  No?  Then why would you do it in your car, a 2,500-pound ground-level missile of death.

Parking wherever you want regardless of the signs, throwing cigarettes out the window, cruising in the passing lane, passing in the cruising lane, ridiculous speeds (normally thanks to Michigan and Illinois drivers), pulling out in front of someone, texting while driving, reading while driving - what the hell?

Driving brings the absolute worst out in people, and they don't even realize it.  The second in line for terrible behavior?  Movie theaters, but that's another blog.

...and that's the way I see it.

KC