Say Freeze

Speed cameras try to slow down Arizona Highways while invading your privacy.

by brian scotto

Way before DJ Clue warned of the Illuminati, George Orwell predicted government surveillance, dubbed Big Brother, in his cautionary novel 1984. While those working the trap might be scared of the new wire taps, the rest of you reading RIDES need to fear Scottsdale, Arizona. The city is the first in the United States to fall to photo enforcement for speeding on highways. Smile! As of Febuary 22nd, Cameras have been issuing $157 tickets to all who go 11mph over the 65mph limit. These revenue generators, which are operated by RedFlex, a private company, may earn up to two million a week. The city, which sees 75% of that, argues that the cameras are not for making money, but instead for safety issues. The Loop 101, where the cameras are located along a 7.8 mile stretch, saw 403 accidents in 2004, almost doubling the amount from two years previous. “It’s effed-up, you would just see dead people on the side of the road,” explains ex-Phoenix resident Ken Block.

Photo enforcement is widely used in Europe, but many political groups argue that the cameras are no longer for safety but actually now just to raise revenue. Some even complain that they create accidents, since drivers slam on the brakes when they see ‘em. Motorists Against Detection, an anti GATSO (speed cameras) group is bucking the system in England and destroying the devices by any means. Dynamite anyone?

*Of course, the always law-abiding editors of RIDES would never actually condone the destruction of government property, but then again we don’t condone the government putting cameras were they don’t belong…shhh! BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!

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