After returning home from work the other day, I found an unpleasant surprise waiting for me in the mailbox. Amid the junk mail and endless brochures was a notice from the Maryland police. Of course, I was intrigued. I tore the envelope open quickly only to find a paper with three small images of my car running a red light! The first feeling that came into my mind was a sense of being naked — exposed — for the enjoyment of Big Brother. I was shocked and surprised to realize that I actually did this early one morning. I’m someone who drives very carefully and extremely slowly, something that drives my husband absolutely crazy. "These cameras are just revenue generators!" was his only commentary on the incident. Well, they certainly are controversial. The only reason I can offer for my red light running was being half-asleep while listening to the early morning weather report! The price for this careless behavior: $75! Sigh. No more early morning radio for me! Bring on Green Day. (Image enlarges on click.) |
i loved ur licence plate 😀
Actually, these things “do” cut down on some people screwing up. And the truth is that privacy has always been basically a fiction, which is why they have to “create” new laws to prevent people from taking photos of you through your own windows at your own house or prevent people from taking newer cell phones in some places. Even then, if someone wanted to, they could hire someone with artistic talent, a photographic memory and no morals to draw or paint you. The real problem is “who” gets to peek and for what reasons. In most countries they could probably do far worse than taking pictures of your car to cut the expense of hiring 100 cops to replace each camera and you wouldn’t be able to say jack about it. I personally have no major problem with this. Some people freak out though at the suggestion that the DMV needs their photo for a license… The problem isn’t “if” someone is watching you, but *why*. Because truely secret organizations and corrupt governments can and will watch you anyway and for far less acceptable reasons than you being too tired one morning and running a light.
Natasha,
As Jeff said…revenue, revenue, revenue…if I were you I would invest in this. 🙂
sorry i laughed, it wasnt at the ticket, it was at your license plate. im sure they had a lot of trouble tracking you down… you should put “ajloun” on the license plates next time so that you can still run red lights but the tickets will be sent to me. have your red light and eat it too.
nice lexus! 🙂
hopefully the last
I contested running a red light once, but not caught by a cemera. I told the police it was yellow; and he asked me what yellow means. The judge told me in the court that I ran a red light according to the report. I said, no, it was yellow and the police confirmed that by asking me the question above. I was let go on this one, but unfortunately, the police found when he gave me the ticket that the tabs were expired. I had to pay one of the two tickets. The reason though that I didnt renew my tabs is that I was still thinking the Jordanian way; tabs expire at the end of the month and not by the specific due date . Anyways, is there a way you contest this one Natasha? Like being color blinded for instance ?
lol… ya maskeeneh.. I hate these surprises. yalla t3eeshi u takli gheirha
I know exactly what you mean about feeling “exposed”. I got a speeding ticket in the mail from a speed trap right next to work. I turn the first page of the notice and I see a print out of a picture of me in the driver’s seat and another picture of the license plate! I thought what the hell, who’s taking pictures of me? I think that was the moment that made me feel with all the celebrities who get their pictures taken without their knowledge lol 😀
أنا دايمآ بقول إنه النسوان ما بتمسكن سيارات
🙂