REPORT: D.C. police chief says drivers who use iPhone to find speed traps are "cowardly"
D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier, frustrated that iPhone technology is one step ahead of the red-light and speed cameras in her jurisdiction, has announced that those who use their hand-held electronic devices are "cowardly" and "...are going to get caught" in one way or another. The subscription-based software that has Lanier shaking her fists and blurting out names is called PhantomAlert. In a nutshell, its GPS-enhanced database of law enforcement "points of interest" mimics alarms similar to those common to radar detectors (remember, radar detectors are already illegal in Virginia and D.C.). Drivers are alerted to approaching speed traps and photo enforcing locations on in their iPhone, or portable GPS units, enabling them time to slow down.
Not surprising when you consider that the greater D.C. area is home to nearly 10 percent of all traffic cameras in the U.S., according to experts. Chief Lanier is frustrated that the innovative technology is "designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives." What Lanier seems to be forgetting is that attentive drivers using PhantomAlert will be slowing down at all 290 enforcement zones... saving countless lives in the process.
[Source: Washington Examiner, Photo by Michael Harley]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Sean 10:45AM (7/18/2009)
I never slow down when I see a cop, unless the douchebag in the lane in front of me makes me slow down.
If you're going to speed, SPEED. Don't go from 85 to 63 when you see the cruiser peeking out of the pushes a quarter of a mile down the highway.
And cowardly? No. Pussies.
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Sean 10:49AM (7/18/2009)
Faux-edit.
No Autoblog I am sorry, but those people slowing down is not going to save lives. Them slowing down (likely to *the* speedlimit or under) is going to put more lives in danger. They will slow down at the last possible second and cause every person behind them to brake as well.
The people behind them will almost definitely not have an iPhone and if they do probably won't have that app, so they will not be expecting a sudden change in speed.
And this is assuming that EVERYONE that uses this app has a dash-mount for it and set it up before they leave.
If they have it in their hand and they are going through the program whilst driving, that is not particularly safe.
tuxchown 12:38PM (7/18/2009)
The real cowards are the cops hiding behind barriers waiting for unsuspecting speeders. How about this: Instead of hiding, get out there and cruise the roads. High visibility would prevent people from speeding in the first place which would create safer roads for all, and that's what it's really about, isn't it? That's what you always tell us on the news when you're being filmed at your speed traps. "It's about safety." Bull$hit. It's about MONEY. Otherwise you would do what it takes to PREVENT speeding instead of hiding out trying to catch people who are ALREADY speeding. Cowards!
RRP5 1:23PM (7/18/2009)
Sean, did you fall and hit your head somewhere? You don't slow down if you see a cop? Why? Out of some retarded, misguided principle that if you are doing wrong then continue doing wrong and get caught? Sounds stupid to me. And as far as the people with the app slowing down suddenly - they have brake lights which the people behind can see. Mind your business and you'll adjust if someone in front of you hits their brakes suddenly.
sparrk 1:51PM (7/18/2009)
better idea would be to blast the speeding cars from space with a big "LASER".
Trapster 1:52PM (7/18/2009)
Sean, not to worry - there is not much chance of users using the PhantomAlert app as PhantomAlert doesn't even *have* an iPhone app or any other mobile app. PhantomAlert is a paid POI download service for Garmins etc. (and the only thing you can do from an iPhone is look on their Web site, it's not GPS based).
The name of the GPS based iPhone app the police chief was referring to is Trapster, and it's totally free. The Examiner didn't do their research. :-/
jv2k 4:15PM (7/18/2009)
You seem like one of those guys who tailgaits without any thought of why that would be a bad idea. If someone slowing down causes you to get into an accident or slam on your brakes then you need to get off the other guy's ass.
Tool 4:16PM (7/18/2009)
Cowardly is coming up with ways to trick people into slowing down instead of thinking up smart ways to enforce proper speeds that balance moving traffic along with safety.
The police are there to keep people safe instead of being a revenue source for city/county/state coffers. Somewhere along the line they forgot that.
Sean 7:31PM (7/18/2009)
@jv2k
No, tailgating is something I like to call 'dangerous'
I don't like it when people are on my ass so I make it a point not to get on other people's.
Also, as to why I don't slow down, I'm not going overly fast. Sure sometimes I will do 80 if I'm in a big rush, but I'm usually doing 70-75. If a cop really wants to pull me over for doing that, so be it.
You RRP5, make me think of the people doing 90 in whatever lane they please, and slam on their breaks to go 65 if they see ANY cop. Whether they're waiting to jump on someone or have already stopped someone and are writing a ticket. Here's a protip, if a cop has already pulled someone over, they aren't going to run back in to their car because they saw you.
JK1150 9:42PM (7/18/2009)
Cops know that not everyone obeys the speed limit, but it is a slap in the face if you don't even slow down as you pass them, and will get you pulled over.
Tim 11:24PM (7/18/2009)
Sorry, but Chief Lanier is a F**KTARD!
Knowing where the speed traps are located does not deactivate them, it slows
people down. Duh.
What moron hired this moron?
unrestrained 1:58AM (7/19/2009)
after you buddy
Clay Garland 12:52PM (7/19/2009)
I don't slow down when I see a cop. It's because I'm doing < 10 over the speed limit. Jumping on your brakes when you see a cop makes you stand out, and a police office doesn't have to radar you to issue you a citation. Maintain a constant speed within a few mph of the law and you'll never get a ticket for speeding.
Fernando 4:52PM (7/19/2009)
What is the purpose of the speed cameras? We all know it's to generate income, but let's take them at face value and say that they are meant to have people slow down in order to have safer streets and save lives. Well, if that's the case, then this apps does exactly what the police chief wants (slowing people down in those areas). The cameras were installed where they are because that is where people have sped the most and where accidents are highest (based on studies and statistics). Guess what? That is what these apps accomplish!
However, if everyone drove the speed limit and obeyed the laws at all times, we would have no need for these cops and this idiot of a police chief would be out of a job. I doubt that they'd be happy if everyone obeyed each and every traffic law.
JZeke 10:13AM (7/20/2009)
forceful, blunt and honest...
+1 for TUXCHOWN's comment, well put.
godzye 10:50AM (7/18/2009)
This stuff has been around in England for ages. What the cops forgot was that suddenly the "speed trap" wasn't a surprise anymore when they fixed to a pole. I guess they need the revenue to fill some of those pot holes on EVERY street in DC. In MD just out side of DC, there are red light and speed cameras everywhere. But as locals we just slow down for 30 ft and then back up to normal speed. If anything, I've seen people slam their brakes just before the camera which of course is dangerous in itself. For some reason people think that they now have to go 10 miles below the speed limit while in the camera zone. Ponderous.
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Jared 3:56PM (7/18/2009)
In Jacksonville there are no speed cameras and the only redlight cameras have signs that warn about them. However, the drivers are just as crazy and dangerous as in any other state.
Protzenegger 1:47PM (7/20/2009)
Godzye forgot to mention that the majority of speed traps in that region have warning signs placed well in advance of them (especially in residential areas, where this makes sense), thus encouraging most folks to just drive normally within a few mph of the posted limit. The limits on those roads are usually logical, and I don't find it exceedingly difficult to obey them.
John P. 10:53AM (7/18/2009)
How is it cowardly to be warned about such things? The warning will keep you from speeding or running a light. Isn't that safety? Oh wait, this is about Govt. making money and very little to do with actual safety.
The police chief should just keep her mouth shut.
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Josiah 11:18AM (7/18/2009)
States are hurting for revenue, this app will hurt one of the easiest/best ways they have of raising some cash.
The state should really release their own iPhone app with 'alerts' about these same cameras (and other road hazards). They make money on the app, which solves the tax revenue problem, and the people get the same functionality and can avoid costly fines. Win win.