The Rise of The Ticket Camera “Front Group”
August 26, 2010 by Vince · 2 Comments
Private companies with financial interests in photo enforcement (specifically, red light cameras) have reached a new low in their never ending efforts to mislead and trick the general public. A company with direct ties to American Traffic Solutions (ATS) has created around 15 websites which claim to represent grass-roots, citizen-run organizations promoting the use of ticket cameras. All of them claim that their reasoning for the defense of photo-enforcement is about safety, and not revenue. Currently, these bogus “groups” are being used to counter-attack various genuine, citizen-run organizations which are working to have the issue of automated ticketing placed in the hands of voters. The National Motorists Association does a good job of pointing out that while there is nothing illegal or unethical about a private company attempting to protect its financial interests, “the line is crossed by the creation of the pretense that there is organized community support for ticket cameras and that support is based on safety concerns.”
Cops: Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand had .21 BAL in DUI Arrest
Tom Lewand, the team president of the Detroit Lions, was arrested on suspicion of DUI by Roscommon County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday evening. Upon being pulled over for driving erratically, Lewand was asked to conduct two field sobriety tests. During the tests, he was unable to balance on one leg and touched his upper lip when asked to put his finger to his nose. Additionally, he did not walk heel to toe as requested by the officer. After initially refusing, Lewand finally agreed to take a breath test and registered a .21% and .20% BAC – both, more than twice the legal limit. Upon being arrested, Lewand told the officer that hadn’t had a drink in a year and a half and was a “designated driver” who had simply gone to pick a friend up from a bar. This weekend, however, Lewand issued an apology and added that he was in “active recovery.”
Detroit Blocking Crosswalk Ticket
June 22, 2010 by Vince · 3 Comments
So I was driving downtown on Tuesday and was about to make a right turn. I’m a pretty conscientious driver and always make sure to check for pedestrians before turning. Just before doing so, someone dashes out into the street (on a Don’t Walk signal) and runs across the street. I stopped in plenty of time and didn’t think much of it – until I got pulled over about 15 seconds later by a cop who told me I had blocked the intersection “and almost hit a pedestrian.” Such b.s. I didn’t “block” a crosswalk – I was turning right and had already come to a complete stop. The light was red, but there were no cars coming, so I was fine. It’s just crazy how they can write all these tickets in a recession. Especially in a city like Detroit where the economy is awful and folks can’t afford anythihg.
