The Telegraph reports
Bad drivers will be recorded on the miniature cameras concealed within “lollipop” stop signs carried by school crossing patrols in an effort to improve road safety. North Somerset Council has purchased one of the new £1,500 "lollicams" following reports of speeding and abusive motorists.Apart from the cost of buying the cameras, and the cost of paying someone to watch all of the footage, I think this is a really bad idea. The vast majority of motorists respect the lollipop wielders and, as has been my experience, the vast majority of lollipop wielders respect motorists. Remote observation isn't going to change that.
Council staff will watch the footage and decide whether to issue warning letters or ask the police to prosecute offenders.
Although ..... if the cameras are going to be used to gather evidence of abuse of position as well as bad motoring .....
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I would rather my local borough simply trimmed the lollipop lady budget to remove those who operate at pelican crossings...
I mean, seriously, why?!?!
Why is it that so many people think that extra surveillance is the answer to solving all our problems?
Just consider the psychology behind this belief: it is based on presuming top-down oppression to be the preferred choice of problem resolution, rather than civil human discourse... I suspect this psychological world-view is created by decades of educational systems where students are passive recipients of knowledge - and authority - rather than active participants in a community where they are expected to give (to more than just the authority figure) as well as receive.
Sad.
I know from previous comments you've made Xanthippa that you are an Aspie, the same as my son. I hope that you can tell when I'm blogging tongue-in-cheek and when I'm being serious?
I've pondered the very same thought myself (although maybe not quite so eloquently) about the desire that people exhibit for more surveillance, more state control. Personally I don't understand it.
I hope so, too!!!
Like many Aspies, I have made a special study of humour and I like to think that I have developed a pretty good sense of it. I often employ the tongue-in-cheek form of humour myself.
Usually, I detect it. Usually, mine is recognized. But I would be lying if I said I had a perfect score...either way.
But I do waaaay better at 'tongue-in-cheek' than at face recognition: I took an online course in face recognition, but I failed it...
Must have been a slow news day for the Telegraph, this story has been popping up for at least three years.
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