Law-abiding citizens aren’t caught at DUI checkpoints or by red-light cameras

Friday, July 7, 2006

Mr. Bothwell writes police are preoccupied with self-preservation, which results in continual attempts to generate revenue at the expense of ‘‘law-abiding citizens.” Contrary to his statement, law-abiding citizens aren’t the ones generating additional revenue for state and county.

Law-abiding citizens aren’t caught in speed enforcement zones, DUI checkpoints or by red-light cameras.

If Mr. Bothwell were to ever experience the profound pain and anguish of losing a child, family member or close friend to a drunk driver, red-light runner or speeding vehicle, perhaps he would feel differently about DUI checkpoints, red-light cameras or speed enforcement he so bitterly complains of.

Posted speed limits are just that — the posted maximum safe speed for a particular area. They aren’t guidelines or suggestions. The same goes for traffic signals. Suppose the next time this individual decides to accelerate and blow through a red light because he’s running late, the opposing driver is quick to start because he’s running late as well? It’s difficult at best to anticipate someone else’s intentions — especially on the road.

Mr. Bothwell goes on to say, ‘‘If our cops must harass those of us who contribute most to the tax base (and pretty much by default commit the least crime as a whole) ... ” It appears in Mr. Bothwell’s view police should only enforce laws against the poor (and possibly persons who commit the most crime) and he should not be ‘‘harassed” by a police officer enforcing traffic laws.

We do not know ahead of time if a traffic violator driving a BMW is a doctor, lawyer or a mechanic test-driving the vehicle.

Mr. Bothwell fails to understand the state and local police forces are populated with everyday, hard-working men and women — not unlike him — doing a job. Police officers don’t make the laws – they are charged with enforcing them. We are tasked with enforcing all the laws, not just the ones Mr. Bothwell wants enforced.

Mr. Bothwell needs to venture beyond his own selfish world — it’s not about him. It’s about society in general.

So what if you have to stop for a red light? There’s always another green one. So what if you’re inconvenienced by a DUI checkpoint? Isn’t that a preferred alternative to the hospital emergency room or pine box?

Rather than blame the police for laws on the books that he disagrees with, Mr. Bothwell and other like-minded individuals need to get involved with local and state lawmakers and work to change them — or would that be too inconvenient?

Frank Marquart, Hollywood