Red-light cams vs. cell-phone rules

I had an awakening the other day.

It came in the form of a phone call from a local nut job, who called to gripe about “waste” in city government. He was yapping about perceived waste in several Amarillo municipal departments. I didn’t pay much attention to him because, well, I am aware of some “issues” that have plagued him over many years.

But then he said the following: If the city is so concerned about traffic safety that it installs red-light cameras at several intersections, why doesn’t it ban cell-phone use while driving?

That, dear friends, is when the awakening occurred. The light bulb flickered on as I realized that even nut jobs make sense every so often.

I told him I agree with the city’s view on red-light cams. I, too, think they improve motor vehicle safety. The caller disagreed with my view on that one.

But I also agree with his assessment that Amarillo City Hall ought to make up its mind on whether it’s going to intrude on motorists’ lives. It says it won’t enact an ordinance banning cell phone use while driving — unlike many other cities in the country, and even some in Texas. Yet it stands firm in its belief that red-light cameras should take pictures of cars running red lights at intersections, enabling the city to cite the registered owners of the car for a traffic violation.

The city is right on the cameras, and wrong on its reluctance to impose rules against cell phone use while driving.

Thanks for the pearl of wisdom, Mr. Caller.