Speed Cameras - Not So Fast!

By I.J. Hudson

It was one of those moments.  It was the intersection of technology, law-abiding citizen and the fear of being caught speeding.

It’s about those pesky cameras along the highways that can catch you speeding.  It’s widely publicized (and the law in MD) that the cameras give you 11 mph OVER the speed limit before the “flash” and ensuing ticket in the mail.  No points, just a ticket for 40-dollars.  11-miles OVER. Did I mention, OVER!!

Okay, here’s the thing.  Even though we’ve been told we get 11 mph to spare, many of us are afraid to put that into the equation – at least by the way we drive. Introduce a speed camera and we freeze up. 

(hushed)  Maybe they lied.  Maybe it’s really set for 10 mph over the limit and they’re playing us. Or 5. 

Let’s say the speed limit is 35.  That means you would have to be going at least 47 for the light to flash and to be “caught” breaking the law.   

Paranoia sets in.  Maybe "they" lied.  The technology could measure when we’re only ONE mile over the limit.  My speedometer is probably wrong.  I’m going to get a ticket.  I’ll slow down to 34…33…32…31.. I’m NOT going to get caught. I'll have to hit the brakes.  My car does 35 all by itself.  Oops.  Almost a rear ender.

If an officer (my son is a cop) sets up a speed trap, he/she would probably give you at least 10 miles over the limit before pulling you over.  Some will even give you 15 mph over the limit just to make sure you don’t challenge the ticket in court.  And if you saw a real speed trap, you would slow down to 5 miles or so over the limit. No biggie.  Most of us drive over the limit all the time.

And face it - on the big highways, you set the cruise control to at least 5 or 6 miles over the limit – maybe 10!! And don’t worry about getting a ticket. You don't even pop a bead of sweat when you pass an officer just waiting for that special speeder doing 25 over the limit.

So why do people approaching speed cameras S-L-O-W down to 5 miles below the limit??!! 

Beats me. 

Technology scares us, while real speed traps don't???