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March 24, 2005
When Big Brother Isn't So Bad
Nikki makes a strong libertarian case for camera enforcement of speeding limits. Much as I appreciate Radley raising the usual Big Brother objections, I don't find them very persuasive in this case. We can legitimately debate whether camera technology has been perfected to the point where it's ready for prime time, and we can insist that the cameras be limited to their intended purpose of enforcing speeding laws. But the bottom line is that speeding laws are perfectly legitimate public safety measures, and technologies that enforce them more efficiently are entirely appropriate.
You should really read Nikki's whole post, but I'll just note one other potential benefit of more efficient speeding law enforcement: it might increase democratic pressure for more rational speed limits. Right now, people routinely drive 10 to 20 miles over the speed limit, gambling that there won't be any cops around to catch them. They therefore have little reason to send their city council members angry letters complaining about the unreasonably low speed limits. But if every motorist got a ticket every time he sped, there would be a public outcry to raise the limits to a more reasonable level. If most people began following the speed limit, the police would no longer have the wide discretion they now enjoy to pull over whomever they like. As a result, citizen respect for the rule of law would increase.
Posted by Tim Lee at March 24, 2005 10:02 AM
Comments
Edmonton dominated the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night and the 4-0 margin in Game 6 makes it hard to imagine the Oilers not hoisting hockey's Holy Grail above their heads in less than 48 hours. And it would not come as any shock to see defenseman Chris Pronger, who had another 31-minute night, take the honors for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
Posted by: anabaanal at June 20, 2006 5:20 PM
Edmonton dominated the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night and the 4-0 margin in Game 6 makes it hard to imagine the Oilers not hoisting hockey's Holy Grail above their heads in less than 48 hours. And it would not come as any shock to see defenseman Chris Pronger, who had another 31-minute night, take the honors for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
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