To you, 80 mph might be a comfortable speed. Well sorry, Speedy Gonzalez, but that won't be the case anymore.
Thanks to the City of Scottsdale's snappy new $10 million photo enforcement project, not even your pretty little face will get you out of a speeding ticket.
That's right, gone are the days when someone will listen to one of the plentiful excuses you've got for speeding including, but not limited to, the following:
"I'm late for my flight,"
"My speedometer must be broken,"
"I'm in labor!"
The photo enforcement resides on both sides of the Loop 101. Hint, hint -- take it easy on the gas after Shea Boulevard and Cactus Road.
According to Mike Phillips, spokesman for the city photo radar enforcement will reduce speeding and collisions on the loop.
"Scottsdale citizens were very concerned about the number of collisions and speeding on the Loop 101; they asked that something be done about it," Phillips said. "The motivation of the program is safety, to allow people to get home safely."
Scottsdale has become the first city in the nation to digitally patrol its freeways, issuing tickets to those who choose to cruise at high speeds.
Motorists traveling 76 mph or faster will get their picture taken and conveniently mailed to their home.
Warning citations are currently being issued until Feb. 22. Any speeding thereafter is destined for a minimum, yet hefty, $157 fine.
The photo enforcement is under a nine-month pilot plan.
According to Doug Nintzel, a public information officer for the Arizona Department of Transportation, a technical evaluation committee will evaluate the program after the nine months.
But I have a strong feeling that I already know the outcome of this fantastic photo enforcement project -- a pot full of fine money that will pay for the technology cost ($10 million, if you forgot), an increase in tailgating, aggressive driving and, worst of all, sudden braking, undoubtedly resulting in more accidents.
Jason Silver, an electrical engineering senior, said that he uses the Loop 101 once or twice a week. He added, "I think it's a violation of rights; it's entrapment. It's just a way for the City of Scottsdale to make money and it's not going to make the freeway any safer. If anything, it's going to make it less safe because of sudden braking."
It seems to me that there are many solutions other than photo enforcement to help prevent accidents on the 101.
One inexpensive suggestion is to install lane usage signs.
It's just common sense that if you are traveling under 65 mph, you should stick to the far-right or middle lane.
Other states, such as Texas, have signs posted that inform drivers to stay in the right lane unless they are passing.
This seems to make perfect sense -- the left lane is for passing, not trotting.
In Germany, the inner lanes of the country's highway system, known as the Autobahn, are reserved for vehicles traveling at a faster speed.
Speed is not the only culprit of accidents on the 101.
The true culprit is an inexperienced and inattentive driver.
Usually, curiosity gets the best of people.
When there is an accident that is clearly already in the hands of police officers and not blocking lanes, why does traffic come to a screeching stop so that everyone can see what happened?
Sure, curiosity may be human nature, but I'm sure you've witnessed the domino collision effect that sudden speed reduction causes.
Trust me, it's not fun to be clenching your steering wheel as a Ford F-150 attempts to come to an abrasive stop behind your compact car.
So, Loop 101 drivers, keep your eyes on the road and smile. If you're going to get a ticket anyway, you might as well look nice in the picture.
Sara is a journalism senior. Reach her at ssturges@imap2.asu.edu.
