Sunday Morning Blog

July 29, 2005

Cape Cod's Traffic Scofflaws

[mood| "chillin'"]

While sitting in the normal evening traffic on the way home last night, some car load of morons (driver wearing oversized baseball cap cocked at an odd angle) decided to swing into the breakdown lane and start flying past everyone on the right. Well, this got me thinking. Most likely everyone else sitting there in traffic was thinking too. It was like a group rant that went on. It probably would have been nice if we could have all pulled over and discussed our feelings about how much this idiot had messed with our commute psyches.

Anyway, I was thinking how perfect it would be if a driver could snap a picture of a jack ass stunt like that and have them ticketed for it. So, I investigated. It just so happens that Shanghai is ahead of us in this department, only they reward the photographer ($2.40 per infraction). Now, here is some incentive for keeping a camera and doing some traffic time. In Shanghai, they have recognized how difficult it is for traffic police to witness the irresponsible and illegal activities of drivers. The public safety is at risk here, and they have very thoughtfully come up with a solution that puts these scofflaws in jeopardy of being ticketed at all times. It is a great benefit to the safety of the driving public and a money making proposition for the entire community. What a concept!

Granted, there would have to be restrictions to camera use in slow or stopped traffic and limits on the rewards to two or three hundred dollars per person, per month. However, I think this might clean up some of these driver's acts - at least the ones who are driving legally to begin with. All in favor...

In a cycling/traffic related story this morning, we have evidence of the value of wearing a helmet and the dangers of our local roadways. Unfortunately, this story illustrates just how little the law can do to protect us from people who have no regard for it.

Posted by capecodcyclist at July 29, 2005 06:12 AM