No need for school zone cameras

Posted 3/5/26

School zones are inherently safe. No one wants to run down a child. So few accidents occur in school zones that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn’t even keep records of them. Cars are not jumping the curb to mow down students on the sidewalks.

The politicians prey on the irrational fears of parents of what might happen to raise big money from drivers who are harming no one.

The cameras cost $4,000 to $5,000 per month to maintain, the camera company takes a huge cut after that, and the politicians expect to get millions from the cameras, using …

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No need for school zone cameras

Posted

School zones are inherently safe. No one wants to run down a child. So few accidents occur in school zones that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn’t even keep records of them. Cars are not jumping the curb to mow down students on the sidewalks.

The politicians prey on the irrational fears of parents of what might happen to raise big money from drivers who are harming no one.

The cameras cost $4,000 to $5,000 per month to maintain, the camera company takes a huge cut after that, and the politicians expect to get millions from the cameras, using “gotcha” technology to tax drivers for inadvertent mistakes.

Parents should teach their children to take responsibility for their own safety and that the street is not a playground. When I was in elementary school, they took us outside and showed us how to cross the street safely. First, look left. Then, look right. Then, look left again, and when it is safe you can cross the street. Seems simple enough.

School zone speed cameras are another tool in government’s predatory enforcement-for-profit racket tool box. School zone speed cameras exist only to raise money, not for safety. School zone cameras should be banned in Pennsylvania. Oh yes, cameras don’t and can’t prevent accidents. Cameras can only take pictures.

Tom McCarey

Berwyn