Imagine this: you're driving through a school zone, minding your own business, when suddenly, a flash! The speed camera captures your license plate, and you think, "Oh no, another speeding ticket!" But wait, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
The Human Factor in Speed Camera Tickets
It's a common misconception that speed camera tickets are automatically generated and sent out. In reality, there's a whole process involving human review before that ticket lands in your mailbox.
Three Sets of Eyes on Your Ticket
Before a ticket is issued, your speeding incident is scrutinized by three different sets of human eyes. First, the footage is examined by two individuals from the camera company, Jenoptik. They carefully review the evidence and decide if it's a clear violation. If they give it the green light, the ticket is then sent to the Syracuse Police Department for a third review.
The Police Department's Role
At the police department, a designated officer goes through a rigorous process. They watch the videos, examine the photographs, and ensure that the license plate in the images matches the one on the violation notice. Deputy Chief Richard Schoff explains, "By the time the tickets get to us, there's a very small rejection rate. They're solid tickets."
A Force Multiplier for Police
Deputy Chief Schoff views these speed cameras as a valuable asset, especially with the police department facing a shortage of officers. He says, "We can slow them down, but we can't keep them slowed down because we can't be there every day all the time; these cameras will be there every day all the time."
Contesting Your Ticket
If you receive a citation and believe it's inaccurate, you have the right to contest it. However, Deputy Chief Schoff warns, "With all the video cameras and pictures, you'd better be pretty sure it's not accurate if you're going to take the time to do it."
The Future of Speed Camera Tickets
For now, speeding drivers are receiving warnings in the mail. But starting November 2nd, speeders will face a $50 fine. So, keep an eye on your speed, especially in school zones!
And this is the part most people miss: the human element in the ticketing process. It's a fascinating look at how technology and human review work together to keep our roads safe. What do you think? Are speed cameras an effective tool, or do they raise concerns about privacy and accuracy? Let's discuss in the comments!
