Friday, August 24, 2012

Watch out, that mailbox, trashcan could be a speed camera!

OFF THE WIRE

http://autos.aol.com/article/a-mailbox-a-trash-can-a-speed-trap-camera/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-bb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D195441
A Mailbox? A Trash Can? A Speed-Trap Camera?
Police are making it tougher for motorists to spot speed cameras 
Aug 21, 2012 | By: AOL Autos Staff
Drivers are getting more savvy about spotting speed cameras along roads and highways. In turn, police in one major U.S. city are getting more savvy about disguising their revenue-generating cameras.
Authorities in and around Washington D.C. are expanding their speed camera programs, reports the Washington Examiner. And now, they're purchasing many cameras that look like mailboxes and trash containers to unsuspecting motorists. They're also more mobile, so police can reposition them so drivers cannot get used to seeing them in one particular area.
Prince George's County purchased nearly 60 mobile cameras last year, and issued 349,000 citations in the first nine months of the program that resulted in approximately $8 million in revenue, reports the news outlet. Next year, the county expects to generate $28 million in revenue.
A similar speed-camera program in D.C. itself generated $55 million in fiscal year 2011, says the site. Not everyone is pleased.
"These newer cameras are lower to the ground and hidden between bushes and signs," said Ron Ely, editor of the website StopBigBrotherMd.org. "Not only can they move these cameras, but they are less visible from the road."
Full story: WashingtonExaminer.com.
Some cars tempt us to speed more than others. While we don't ever recommend speeding beyond the stated speed limit on any road, we do recommend you check out our gallery here of our favorite convertibles and five great American roads to drive them on before winter sets in. You can buy any of these sexy ragtops, or you can rent most of them as well.