Oklahoma Prepares To Roll Out Automated Speed Traps To Boost Revenue

Oklahoma is preparing an unprecedented statewide deployment of automated ticketing machines designed to generate $95 million in revenue. Instead of using red light cameras and speed cameras, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) is preparing to sign a contract with a for-profit company that will track all passing motorists with a network of at least twenty automated license plate recognition (ALPR, also known as ANPR) cameras. The devices would also “generate significant additional revenues” by issuing $250 citations for expired insurance using the Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System (OCIVS) database that went live in July 2009.

“DPS envisions a system of automated enforcement of vehicle insurance which incorporates, at a minimum, the following processes: capture vehicle license plate data from stationary locations along selected highways using cameras (and) barcode scanners,” a DPS request for information dated October 16, 2009 explained. “Oklahoma’s new license plates include a barcode.”




2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Photo Gallery

Bimmerfest 2010 Photo Gallery

2011 Porsche Cayenne USA Launch

2011 BMW New Product Showcase

2011 BMW 5-Series USA Production Photo Gallery

Steve - 6/8/2010 10:46:45 AM

+4 Boost

Just as a data point, the province of Ontario in Canada once had mobile speed cameras. They would be parked, say under a bridge, and they would be flashing all day, taking pictures of speeders, who would later get a ticket in the mail.

The public hated this so much, that an opposing provincial political party made it an election issue. In the next election, the party that brought in the mobile speed cameras was voted out of power, and the speed cameras disappeared too.

This just goes to show you that politicians understand cause and effect. Just remind them with a hand-written letter (it gets their attention much better than email or a word-processed letter -- it speaks "personal"), both to the party who is putting in the cameras, and to the opposing parties. And then follow up with your vote.

veyron1001 - 6/8/2010 11:04:26 AM

-1 Boost

If this system lowers insurance rates then i am all over it.

Steve - 6/8/2010 3:15:19 PM

+5 Boost

veyron1001 wrote "If this system lowers insurance rates then i am all over it."

It doesn't. Nor does it decrease accident rate nor fatalities. But it does do what it was designed to do: Generate revenue.

Agent009 - 6/8/2010 11:22:09 AM

+2 Boost

It is interesting to note that Police departments USED to say we have no quotas and tickets are NOT a revenue stream.

Now they gladly admit what we knew all along, they more concerned with the revenue than most anything else.

I fully back our law enforcement officers, however when you ticket a plate and not necessarily the real perpetrator I have a problem with it.

You are in essence assuming that the violator is the owner not the driver at the time of the offense.

sstainba - 6/8/2010 11:44:49 AM

+3 Boost

I don't see how this is any different from the cameras. They suffer the exact same problem - verification of driver. Taking pictures of the license plate is the same thing the red-light and speed cameras did. They were ruled unconstitutional and have been banned in many states. This is just dumb.

Agent009 - 6/8/2010 3:46:43 PM

0 Boost

They have been ruled out by many of the States that are recovering. The cash strapped States are ramping them up until a lawsuit happens. The company pays for the install and removal of the cameras, not the State, so there is little to lose if they get outlawed.