23 billion according to N.T.S.A., UNIT (a fitting moniker if ever I heard one). Speed releated accident implies that one or more vehicles involved in an accident were driving above the posted speed limit. For most people that would be self-explanatory. And for you to make the statement that traffic enforcement is strictly a "revenue maker" displays your ignorance of municipal budgetary process. The average traffic citation only generates 3-5% above the cost of issuance, which includes manpower, equipment, administration, court fees, and departmental rebates. This excludes state funded programs, such as "STEP". Municipal "revenue" comes from taxes, as any homeowner can attest. As I stated previously, the small town or municipality that does use traffic enforcement as a major revenue source is the exception, not the rule. These towns, as we all know are situated away from major metropolitan areas adjacent to interstates where motorists are "passing through" and are not expected to return to fight the citation. Their property is not valuable enough to generate sufficient revenue to support the municipality, so they must supplement with this unfortunate practice.
And of course robberies and thefts are important issues, as is any crime (um, like speeding? yes, that too). But guess what; if you report a theft, robbery, or burglary in your neighborhood, can you guess what the local police department will do, besides investigating whatever evidence is available? (tick tock tick tock tick tock...) That's right; increased traffic enforcement! One of the best deterrents of residential and business area crime is increased visibility, ergo, lights and sirens!
But of course, just as you do not wish to attempt to convince me of your unsupported theories and conjecture, I will not try to convice you of supported facts. We all need someone to be pissed at. But remember, every kind of peaceful cooperation among men is primarily based on mutual trust and only secondarily on institutions such as courts of justice and police. Albert Einstein said that. You know; the rilly smart dude wit dat funny hair.
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