the (inevitable) automation of Big Brother . . .

[OneBlueSky]

seems that the good folks in Pleasanton CA will soon have their streetlights monitoring their speed . . . good idea, or one just one more example of governmental overzealousness? . . .

Stoplight to punish suburban speeders
Pleasanton finds a way to slow impatient drivers

by Demian Bulwa
San Francisco Chronicle
April 7, 2004

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/04/07/MNG8N61MGG1.DTL

Pleasanton is about to turn the fast into the furious.

In a move unprecedented in the Bay Area, the city's traffic engineers have created a traffic signal with attitude. It senses when a speeder is approaching and metes out swift punishment.

It doesn't write a ticket. It immediately turns from green to yellow to red.

Residents and commute-jockeys said Tuesday that the light, which the city plans to unveil today on Vineyard Avenue at the intersection of Montevino Drive, is either an inspired leap into the future or a blatant example of government overzealousness.

- more . . .

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/04/07/MNG8N61MGG1.DTL

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. gee that seems a little dangerous

especially to anyone riding behind the speeding car that might be about to stop short.

Not to mention the people in the adjacent direction who just had their light go from red to green.

[HFishbine]

2. Dumb! There's a better way.

Time the lights so that if you drive the speed limit, you always hit a green light. Drive too fast and you'll "catch up" to a red light that hasn't changed yet -- a far safer proposition than forcing a speeding driver to slam on the breaks or floor it because of a fast-changing light.