WTB Educated Police Officers – Photo Radar at it’s Finest

A group dedicated to warning motorists of photo radar locations in Winnipeg had a run-in with police Tuesday morning. James Cotton, had set up a sign on Ness Avenue, informing drivers of a radar trap in a nearby school zone. Shortly after wards, police officers approached and warned him he could be charged with obstruction of justice. Winnipeg criminal defense lawyer Jay Prober said he doubted if an obstruction of justice charge would stand up in court given that Cotton was trying to stop people from breaking the law. A Winnipeg police spokesperson said if Cotton filed a complaint against the officers they would investigate it.

What I can't seem to figure out is why on earth would a police officer bug someone for holding a sign up that says "slow down." Isn't that the main problem to be solved by photo radar? The fact that these officers reacted the way they did obviously means photo radar isn't here to solve traffic problems, just to generate revenue. Most studies conducted after a certain time period have noticed accident increase with highway photo radar, regardless of speed drivers slam on the brakes just to be sure to avoid this scam-like photo radar ticket.

Not only are police officers and faulty arrests a problem, but the placement of these photo radar cameras is unlawful. Setting up fake construction zones with photo radar just to generate more income. It's unbelievable this is going on in our country, considering I've never had the opportunity to vote away these invasive cameras. City Officials continue to say they will put an end to this, but it seems they keep coming up around the city.

The biggest problem with photo radar is the companies that own and operate it are making millions because of a glitch. There are laws to protect us in this situation, and the fact that these camera companies operate as a private investigator (since it collects evidence for civil trials), and none of these companies are licensed as a private investigator, it is against the law in most states. These companies are ILLEGAL. BREAKING THE LAW. How is it possible they continue to take chunk of our paycheck?

They're plenty of other ways to reduce red light running and speeds with out a faulty photo radar van including longer yellow light times, add an all-red clearance interval, or make traffic lights more visible. Instead, we are told these cameras are here for safety, as they shorten yellow light times to catch more motorists. It just seems wrong to falsify human safety for more cash.

---

Updated Photo Radar van, red light, and speed camera locations.