On the one hand, using advanced technology just to save lawbreakers from having to pay speeding tickets may seem frivolous, and perhaps even a bad idea. In fact, there’s a good argument to be made that this is a misuse of technology that will actually make roads more dangerous as it helps drivers speed more without the fear of getting busted holding them back.
On the other hand, roadside cameras are almost universally hated by drivers, so the technology is bound to be adopted wherever it’s legal. What’s more, driver groups like to highlight statistics indicating that cameras installed to catch speeders, people who roll through STOP signs, and such can themselves cause accidents. How? Basically because when drivers see the cameras at the last minute, they tend to slam on the brakes, increasing the chances of rear-end collisions.
For what it’s worth, the technology exists right now to help drivers avoid getting ticketed via roadside cameras, and it doesn’t require the purchase of a Hyundai Genesis or a move to South Korea. GPS manufacturers such as TomTom and Garmin offer a range of subscription services that maintain updated lists of roadside camera locations, and the service will beap at the driver as he’s approaching one. “This service helps drivers to be safer on the road and avoid costly traffic tickets,” the TomTom site explains. The Phantom Alert smartphone app, which costs $10 per month or $30 for a year, works similarly.
Just don’t go expecting the car to slow down automatically when the camera alert goes off. It’s up to you, the driver, to actually hit the brakes and get down under the speed limit.