MPD Launches Mobile Speed Camera Safety Program
By
WNCF
Story Created:
Dec 16, 2011 at 3:45 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 16, 2011
You’ve heard of red light cameras... Now, the Montgomery Police Department has mobile speed cameras.
“These cars are specifically designed to catch vehicles that are speeding.”
Montgomery is one of the first cities in the country to use this state-of-the-art equipment.
A normal patrol car has been outfitted with a camera, strobe, and a speed tracking terminal.
“This is used to set up all the programming on the vehicle,” explains Major Barnett.
In order to trigger the radar, you have to pass the cop car from behind.
If you’re speeding, the camera will snap a photo of your car and car tag. The picture and speed violation will be store on the car’s main terminal.
The information is then sent though multiple verifications before a police officer reviews it.
“Once that officer verifies it and approves it a citation will be sent out,” said Barnett.
The city only has two of these cars but plans on making the most of each vehicle.
“We're going to use the cars in a school zone in the morning, in a neighborhood as soon as the school zone closes down at 8:30. Then we'll go to a neighborhood then it'll be in another school zone in the afternoon. Then after that, it'll go back to another neighborhood,” explained Barnett.
From now on, when you're out and about, be mindful of sitting cop cars. Police say they're fair warning your speed is being monitored.
“If you passed a marked vehicle, with light bulbs on top and you’re speeding in a residential or school zone, you deserve the ticket you get.”
These cars will only be used in residential, construction or school zones and they will be deployed Friday. Drivers who violate the speed limit will receive a warning for the first 30 days. Then, the $60 citations will being in January.
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Motor LT said on Monday, Dec 19 at 12:34 PM
I've gotten two of them for 19 miles over on a rural street. It's not being used in the manner the legislature intended. It's a money maker, pure and simple. I have no problem with the school zone cameras but a country road is not what they were legislated for.
78660502Brian Ceccarelli said on Saturday, Dec 17 at 8:42 AM
Is the violation a criminal misdemeanor? If so, Montgomery has just violated the US Constitution. The accuser has to ID the accused. Is the violation a civil penalty? Then Montgomery has just violated legal precedent, for speeding has always been a criminal misdemeanor. Do the cops know where a speed limit comes from? A speed limit, engineering-wise, is the speed of 85% of the cars on the road at a given moment. Is there a difference between penalty by camera or penalty by a cop pulling you over? If so, that violates the 14 Amendment--equal protection under the law. Do the cops allow the difference between the engineering definition of the speed limit at rush hour and at 12 midnight? During the rush hour, the engineering limit may be 35 mph, but at midnight 45 mph If the Sue the City of Montogomery now.
78573791Paul Henry said on Saturday, Dec 17 at 2:50 AM
What ever happened to officers observing a violation and... PULLING OVER THE VIOLATOR? Taking a picture of the car does not prove who was driving. The identity of the driver is a key element in traffic enforcement- unless you are willing to do away with the 5th Amendment and make people confess in court. England did that- and we fought a war over this and other things. Next, how much is an officer-issued ticket, and do the $60 tickets carry points? If they do not, that is prima facie evidence this practice is about revenue, not safety. Points are assessed to identify bad drivers and get them off the road. Lower fines no points= revenue scheme, not a safety plan.
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