A report by Theo Karantsalis and published by The Miami Herald claims that the Miami Springs Police Department has issued 420 automated speeding tickets, aka Notice of Violations, between August 14th and August 26th. According to the report, each notice of violation is worth $100. In other words, the city has generated $42,000 worth of tickets in just 9 school days. That’s an average of 47 tickets per school day or nearly $5,000 in ticket fines per school day.
To think that the police will continue to generate nearly $5,000 per school goes against the objective. The objective is to deter people from repeatedly speeding through these school zones. By issuing these Notice of Violations, it should “in theory” deter drivers from speeding over and over again. In other words, once you get a ticket in the mail, you’re more likely to slow down and change behaviors, at least while driving through school zones. By design, that should eventually decrease the number of violation notices issued by the police department. At least for the folks who drive through the area locally.
Overall, we’re not crazy about the idea of “big brother” constantly watching over us. Nevertheless, the traffic cameras have proven effective in catching speeders, hit and run drivers, and even wanted criminals.
Furthermore, there are lots of signs, albeit somewhat confusing, alerting you to the camera enforcements. Read our article title, School Zone Speed Signs Simplified for a more comprehensive explanation on the signs.
Bottom line, the automated ticketing cameras is bringing in much needed revenues to the Miami Springs Police Department without taking officers away from emergencies. Furthermore, it should, in the long run, slow down drivers in the photo enforced school zones.
What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts on these camera systems in the comments section below.
Read Theo Karantsalis’ full report at:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article312277300.html
