Like many functions of the state, authoritative traffic precautions were implemented for the purpose of collecting a revenue stream under the guise of safety. The most outrageous measure has been an effort to squelch driving violations through the use of automated ticketing machines (ATMs). If a motorist runs a red light, a camera takes a picture of the vehicle then sends a ticket through the mail — in an effort to crack down on running red lights.

Besides the creepy, Big Brother implications of these measures, the machines come with a number of reasons to be prohibited. As mentioned, they provide a source of revenue from citizens who are paying enough already. The cameras ignore the basic function of due process by automatically ticketing drivers, relinquishing their ability to immediately contest violations. Most importantly, though, studies show the cameras actually lead to an increase in intersection accidents in complete opposition of the program’s hopes.

There are a number of ways the state can collect revenue in order to function. Taxes are the most plausible, but raising money while keeping citizens safer sounds win-win. Unfortunately, the mentioned scenario does not account for the ATMs. Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., the company that manufactures ATMs, earns a portion of the revenue, partially in order to pay for the devices. But even more egregious, this company gets to dictate where the cameras are installed based on a location that is profitable, not necessarily one that promotes greater safety. In line with the profit motive, numerous cities have been caught shortening the duration of yellow lights, in a “dangerous fundraising initiative,” according to the Huffington Post. All of this brings the program’s legitimacy into question.

Regardless of any benefits from the use of ATMs, the machines ignore the premise of innocent until proven guilty. Due to the reality that traffic cameras are incapable of differentiating between an automobile owner and the actual driver, the machines send tickets to the owner of the vehicle. In addition, many citizens have been ticketed for taking legal right hand turns, being treated the same as those who have blatantly violated red lights. A machine that cannot differentiate between traffic violations and legal driving maneuvers obviously has no place in a free community.

As the money-making ATMs have been installed in 450 communities nationwide, studies have assessed the effectiveness of these enforcement mechanisms. As many would not expect, the University of South Florida found traffic cameras to “significantly increase crashes and are a ticket to higher insurance premiums.” CBS Los Angeles found the same conclusion after an audit by the city controller, showing the cameras were unable to improve public safety. The research makes sense intuitively. Instead of proceeding through yellow lights, drivers slam on the breaks to avoid tickets and often end up increasing the amount of rear-end collisions at intersections.

Motorists across the nation have been in legislative battles with the ATMs for years now, but the issue is quickly becoming a bigger debate in Washington. A new bill is moving forward with a third of the state Legislature to eliminate the cameras while requiring a citizenry vote to use them in particular cities. In Wenatchee, more than 700 people a month are receiving $124 tickets in the mail, according to the Seattle Times.

The state always claims it holds the intent of safety and concern for the citizenry, but this is no solution to traffic control. While creating a rise in accidents and ignoring due process, the government is doing what it does best — using scare tactics to usurp a pool of revenue. State legislation should be forwarded and supported for all the above reasons before the cameras become entrenched and part of our daily lives.