Speed cameras (sometimes called photo radar) are a means of catching vehicles breaking the speed limit or committing other motoring offences (such as failing to stop at a red light). They work by measuring the speed of a vehicle over a short distance and recording its license or registration plate details, so that the owner can be identified and held to account. Typically, fixed penalties are applied for offences caught on camera, with a computer-generated letter being sent to the vehicle's registered owner demanding payment of a fine. In some countries, such as the UK and France, a system of penalty points is also applied; a driver who receives penalty points may face higher insurance costs and an accumulation of points (e.g. after three or four speeding incidents) will eventually lead to the loss of their driving license. Legal appeal mechanisms usually exist to challenge a penalty generated by a speed camera, but these are often expensive and difficult to pursue.
Speed cameras were first introduced in Germany in the later 1980s and are now common throughout Europe, Australia and parts of North America, although many states in the USA still do not have them and France has only recently begun to introduce them. They are deeply unpopular with many motorists, who are sceptical of their value and may be unhappy with receiving large penalties for apparently minor offences. In some countries physical attacks on speed cameras are becoming more common. Opinion poll evidence may be quoted by both supporters and opponents of speed cameras to demonstrate that public opinion is on their side, but this should not be a consideration in this debate.
Should cameras be used to catch speeding motorists?
Speed cameras were first introduced in Germany in the later 1980s and are now common throughout Europe, Australia and parts of North America, although many states in the USA still do not have them and France has only recently begun to introduce them. They are deeply unpopular with many motorists, who are sceptical of their value and may be unhappy with receiving large penalties for apparently minor offences. In some countries physical attacks on speed cameras are becoming more common. Opinion poll evidence may be quoted by both supporters and opponents of speed cameras to demonstrate that public opinion is on their side, but this should not be a consideration in this debate.
Should cameras be used to catch speeding motorists?
