In response to "Red Light Cameras: Safety First"

In Mary Klingman’s blog post, “Red Light Cameras: Safety First,” Klingman discusses the improved traffic situation that has occured at a result of the implementation of red-light cameras.  The blog post discusses the benefits involved in having these cameras at intersections.

In the cities that are using the cameras, there have been 20% fewer fatal accidents caused by running through a red-light than in the cities that do not use them.  This one statistic speaks for itself.  These cameras have significantly decreased the number of avoidable deaths.  Clearly, anyone opposed to these life saving apparatuses has received a ticket after one of those, “Yeah, I can definitely make this yellow!” moments.

The thought that some people think of the cameras as a “Big Brother” type scheme is just ridiculous.  These are obviously the people that would rather decrease the safety of drivers that frequent intersections to save themselves a quick buck when they run a red.  If you are that worried about those pesky intersection cameras catching your every move, here’s a thought: don’t run a red!  A picture is only snapped when a violator runs over a “sensor-loop” in the asphalt around where the “stop here on red” line is.  A great demonstration of how this occurs can be found on How Stuff Works.

I know that for me, as a driver, instead of running that yellow light, I won’t risk getting the $75 ticket or, more importantly, putting everyone at that intersection lives in danger. Seventy-five dollars is a small price to pay after being caught by a red-light camera.  In Austin, if you are caught going through a red light by a police officer, the ticket would cost $275.  So, if one is really so opposed to these cameras, and the only reason I can think of for this is because he or she is a frequent red-light runner, wouldn’t he or she want the lesser fine a camera would issue as opposed to an increase of $200 when caught by a cop?

These red-light camera fines are put towards increasing the safety of citizens as well as helping to fund regional trauma care centers.  For those thinking these cameras are just a way for the government to make some money, once the cameras are put into place, fines issued usually drops.  This means that the cameras are doing their jobs; they are decreasing the amount of red light runners and potentially fatal car crashes, not just increasing governmental revenue.

Red-light cameras are a great invention that should be put at every busy intersection.  It is worrisome that some drivers are opposed to such a life saving device.  The statistics alone prove that these contraptions are not just a way for our evil government to make some money; they are saving lives across the state and across the country. 

How Stuff Works

How Red-light Cameras Work

Tom Harris

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/red-light-camera2.htm

My biased view on affirmative action

Affirmative action in Texas has always been a controversial issue.  As a white female university student, I am against it.  But as someone who embraces diversity, I am for it. 

Although affirmative action is not allowed through the Texas university admissions process, it is definitely allowed through private scholarships.  I spent most of my senior year of high school applying and interviewing for various scholarships.  I knew that I would need extra money for college if I didn’t want to take out huge loans or make my single mom with a low income go into debt for me.  So, in my financially needy state, I am against picking people for scholarships based on their ethnicity.  But in my member of society state, I’m for supporting minorities in a chance to receive a higher education.

It’s a frustrating feeling being pulled in both directions.  But, as a university student, it’s hard for me not to question its fairness.  A minority student could be better off than me financially, but a lot of scholarships don’t ask for financial information.  A couple essays, an application, a transcript, and letters of recommendation are what are usually needed to apply for a scholarship.  These applications will sometimes ask about the applicant’s ethnicity.  There should be no difference whether I’m white or Hispanic or African American.  Scholarships are about needing the money for education and showing your credentials for why you should receive it. 

All minorities are not financially in need, but affirmative action in scholarship selections tends to make that assumption.  Minorities can be just as financially sound and wealthy as majorities, so affirmative action appears outdated to me.  Now that affirmative action has been eliminated from the college admissions process, I think it should be eliminated from the scholarship selection process, as well.

I recognize my extreme bias on the subject, and know affirmative action is a highly controversial subject.  I am sure if you were to ask me once I’m finished with my college education what I thought about affirmative action, I would give you a different answer, but at this time in my life, I find it to be an unfair process.