So the City of Austin implemented cameras at stop lights around town in order to cut down on red light runners.  The camera will catch these overeager drivers take their picture, and send them a nice little ticket in the mail.  No muss - no fuss.

 I am not necessarily against this.  I think it sounds like a way to both raise revenues and increase safety, if applied well.  I understand the arguments against it, and my libertarian roots scream against the Big Brother element of cameras on every corner.  But I am willing to let the experiment run and see if results are as expected, as long as the City takes great pains to keep the effort transparent and as clean as possible.

However, I have to wonder about an interesting observation from this morning’s commute to school.  The stop light at Anderson Lane and Burnet Rd, one which I drive through nearly every morning, is suddenly running on a different pattern than ever before.  In the past, each direction has had a good length of time to clear before the cross traffic gets its turn, mainly by the overlap of the opposing left turn lights.  This morning the left turn lights no longer overlapped, and the light was much shorter in every direction than before.  So instead of waiting a reasonable amount of time for the light to change and then having ample time to get through the intersection, one now waits through more than one light change for one’s turn. 

In my mind, this prompts impatience and encourages drivers to hurry through at the tail end of the yellow light.  When my turn came to scurry through the intersection I looked up and - low and behold - there was a pesky camera watching me.  I know I was legally through in time, but the cars behind me that cut it close may not have noticed the camera.  Ah, revenue generating at its best.

I am not saying that the light pattern at Anderson and Burnet was changed because this ordinance just went into effect (last night), but it does seem suspect at best.  If this is the case, then shame on the City.  If its a happy coincidence, then I guess my paranoia is finally getting the better of me.  We shall see.  Keep your eyes open, friends, and see if you don’t notice similar changes in your neighborhoods.  Only through diligent observation can the people avoid the loss of all liberty.  It starts slowly, incrementally, and pretty soon we don’t even miss our rights.  Stay alert.  (Uh oh, my libertarianism scratching through again)