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Sunday Detour: Smile, you're on Court TV

Gatso Running red lights is bad. Cars get damaged. People get killed. Okay, so, we're on the same page here, right? Since it's impossible to put policemen on every corner deterring people from stupidity, camera enforcement seems a reasonable option, right?

You can't legislate morality any more than you can force intelligent action. Do something reasonable to keep people safe and you'll find some wingnut barking and howling in protest. Case in point: A group calling itself MAD -- or Motorists Against Detection -- have taken to setting autonomous traffic cameras ablaze across the United Kingdom, and are detailing their exploits on a website.

The group claims to have destroyed over 1000 roadside cameras, according to Engadget.

Says the group's leader, Capt. Gatso, "The vigilante anti-speed camera group have announced a summer of MADness which will see them target for destruction all speed cameras in the UK. It's now going to be a period of zero tolerance against all speed cameras." The gang of disgruntled drivers also plans a day of action called "National Cover-Up Your Number Plates Day."

61307specs_camera Before getting all hoity with your toity, be advised: Texas DOT wants to give you the opportunity to earn some Kodak moments of your own by installing "turnkey automated speed notifications services" on Highway 10 in Hudspeth County and Highway 6 near College Station.

It's all being done with the overt purpose of assessing and evaluating "all elements of such a system." Sure. Perhaps their assessment would have included its billing potential were it not for the swift action of the Texas Legislature.

Still, these new cameras are accurate to within two miles-per-hour in EITHER direction and they're sure to find their way into service someday. So,when that happens, unless you're able to make a Battlestar Galactica-like light-speed leap, your best option will be to drop out of warp and drive the limit.

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