Traffic cameras should be for safety, not profit

Traffic cameras are becoming the new all-seeing eye for driving infractions.

Police officers can't be everywhere at all times to catch traffic scofflaws, but a camera eye can be permanently trained on an intersection, never blinking. Portable cameras can automatically tag drivers going too fast, potentially catching more violators than a cop with a laser gun.

Drive through the red light. Gotcha. Speed 65 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone. Gotcha. It's an appealing scenario to those who gnash their teeth at idiot drivers who are oblivious to traffic laws, safety and common courtesy.

A commute across Honolulu would lead one to believe many drivers see the yellow traffic light as a challenge, not a signal to slow down and stop.

It's amazing there haven't been more accidents, particularly at some of the intersections the state has targeted for traffic cameras to nab red-light runners. They'll be at intersections like Punchbowl and Vineyard and Likelike and Kahekili, well-known danger spots. Or 'Ainakoa and Kalaniana'ole, where there's hardly a light change without someone speeding through against the red.

The goal is to reduce traffic violations, reduce accidents and save lives.

But this laudable goal must be pursued in the proper way. The public must be assured that its privacy rights will be protected and that the cameras are used only for traffic safety. Furthermore, since the company that installs the cameras will get a cut of the fine for each violation, we must have assurance that our system of traffic enforcement does not become a cash cow for a private operator.

There is nothing wrong with setting traffic fines so they are a deterrent to violations. But it is clear that law enforcement should never be allowed to become a profit center for anyone.

It might make more sense to buy or lease the camera equipment so it would be operated purely in the interests of traffic safety and nothing else.