Technology

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 3 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Norway does a lot of sensible things that seem impossible in the USA.

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[–] blitzen@lemmy.ca 8 points 2 weeks ago

You’re not suggesting the automated mailing of speeding tickets based on average speed is reasonable, are you?

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[–] P1nkman@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

I'm Norwegian. Read in the news that there was a guy who used to set a timer and count the seconds when driving through a tunnel with average speed cameras so he wouldn't get fined.

Just keep the speed limit, you'd get there at the same time. Sometimes i wonder how these people even survive.

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[–] MellowBright@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

I know that Colorado does this as well. Probably other states in the USA do too. https://www.codot.gov/programs/speedenforcement

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

If it's clearly posted, that's fine - and appropriate in certain mountain pass situations.

If it's a surprise when the fine arrives in the mail, that's pure unadulterated evil.

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[–] alternategait@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

I’m fairly neutral on this, can you explain why it’s evil?

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

Pop up fines - impediment to free travel - arbitrary tax collection. I mean, if you want to go back to Roman times where any government officials you happen to meet can just grab you by the shoulder and "collect taxes for the emperor" because you happen to be within reach - you can call that "not evil" if you like. I call it regression of civilization.

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[–] alternategait@lemmy.world 1 point 2 weeks ago (2 children)

And to clarify, we are talking about the automatic measurement of speed and issuance of speeding tickets?

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yes, if you want to post a clearly visible easily readable sign: "SPEED LIMIT 80kph, VIOLATORS WILL RECEIVE FINES UP TO $5000 BY MAIL" then that's fair game. If it's a camera on a post with no notice and just the normal SPEED LIMIT signs that mean nothing of the sort the world over... that's like a troll hiding under a bridge shaking down unsuspecting travelers as they pass.

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[–] bleustenns@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

Normally I'm not fond of complaints with regards to transportation regulation, because there's usually good safety reason, but sincerely fuck receiving a ticket in the mail I didn't know I could even receive. I think speed limits help people not die, but there are reasonable ways to do things. Like the person also replying to you said, I am fine if I'm warned, but otherwise I'm legit just getting my pockets ran.

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 1 point 2 weeks ago

I think speed limits help people not die

I do too, except the way they have evolved is terrible.

They're (almost all) the same day, night, rain, shine, sleet, snow or ice.

They're primarily enforced on nice sunny days when it's not uncomfortable for the officers to be standing outside their cars.

They're almost never enforced on the busiest roads during rush hours.

Within the US road funding system, the busiest roads get their speed limits raised in order to increase their "Level of Service" to prevent them from losing federal funding. US1 south out of downtowm Miami is a damn nighmare at 45mph with all the traffic it carries, but other similarly configured roads which are straighter with better sightlines fewer side streets and less traffic get 35mph speed limits because they won't lose their funding for low LOS issues. (my info may be out of date about US1, I left Miami 25 years ago, but while I was working at DOT classifying roads in the 1990s I had to commute that death trap.)

And then you can start talking about the small towns that use speed enforcement as a source of revenue.

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[–] MellowBright@lemmy.ml 1 point 2 weeks ago (1 child)

There's signs posted in advance that say something along the lines of "Speed Enforcement Camera Ahead". The only reason they'd be a surprise is if you're not paying attention to signage. They're in the mountains, but I've mostly seen them out in the flat eastern parts of Colorado where the roads are mostly long straight stretches over flat terrain. Which makes sense, since that's where it's easy to speed.

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[–] MangoCats@feddit.it 1 point 2 weeks ago

Which makes sense, since that’s where it’s easy to speed.

Depends on how you look at "makes sense." It's easy to speed, it's relatively safer to speed (except in blinding snow conditions when the cameras probably don't work too well...) So, if "makes sense" is about maximizing revenue, then sure: more people will be breaking the law where the law itself makes less sense...

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[–] Rednax@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

And so does the Netherlands. It ain't magic.