Police have been on a work slowdown for 5 straight years, with the direct impact of deadlier roads and a softer impact of reactionaries screaming that crime is up because of policies they don't like, rather than police work stoppages www.nytimes.com/interactive/... - ThreadSky

atherton.bsky.social • 219 days ago

Police have been on a work slowdown for 5 straight years, with the direct impact of deadlier roads and a softer impact of reactionaries screaming that crime is up because of policies they don't like, rather than police work stoppages https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/29/upshot/traffic-enforcement-dwindled.html

Comments

chemicalprophet.bsky.social•217 days ago

Fuck the police. ACAB.

rogueleader.bsky.social•219 days ago

This is what really stood out to me from the piece:

erinnthered.bsky.social•218 days ago

Once I understood the objection to traffic cameras was bc they equalized enforcement it completely changed my perspective.

That and learning about road design. Like why many countries have crooked lines starting when you should break for a light/ sign, or the effect of trees on speeding. Amazing.

dereksbabble.bsky.social•217 days ago

The absolute best solution is automated camera-based enforcement for most minor infractions. Frees officers to do actual policing and enhanced enforcement in problem traffic areas. The technology is available, cities can own (not lease or contract) it.

fxshaw.com•217 days ago

Great to see all the data here. Can you imagine the hue and cry if teachers responded to their feelings getting hurt by teaching fewer classes.

ladymolson.com•219 days ago

I've only been driving since 2012, so it's been easy for me to notice this huge change, even in New Orleans, where cops have been relatively laissez-faire about traffic violations, there's now no traffic law enforcement at all, basically, everyone knows it, and drives accordingly.

elsjones.bsky.social•219 days ago

Cincinnati did a testing stop last year and found out a 1/3 of drivers were unlicensed. they either didn't get one during the pandemic or it lapsed and they didn't bother to go and get it renewed. and nothing came of that study

rosaluxlux.bsky.social•218 days ago

Licensing has very very little to do with safe driving, though it has a lot to do with being insured

elsjones.bsky.social•218 days ago

yes, but to get your license, you need to pass a series of tests. and people who are licensed should be tested regularly. people here don't understand right of way or zipping or how to drive in a rotary

rosaluxlux.bsky.social•218 days ago

That I totally agree with - we should have competence based testing, regularly. But since we don't the competence of a person who mailed in their license renewal is probably not better than someone who didn't.

erinnthered.bsky.social•218 days ago

The problem with testing is the current model only works for people good at tests. You can be great at tests and a terrible driver.

Because of conservatism in gov't they don't have the impetus to hire the right ppl to fix it. Yet another way elections matter.

rosaluxlux.bsky.social•218 days ago

Oh I meant driving tests. We have to occasionally retake the written tests but I don't think they ever make you redo a driving test unless you get into a bad accident.

erinnthered.bsky.social•218 days ago

Police work does not stop or prevent crime. The best way to prevent traffic accidents is change the way the roads are designed. Even adding trees, a protected bike lane, or adjusting parking style helps.

davidmenschel.bsky.social•216 days ago

Thing is crime WAY down. In 2022 violent crime was the third lowest its been in 50 years. And it was down further in 2023 (likely the lowest in 50 years) and is down yet further this year. In 2022 property crime was lowest in 60 years and is down since.

arreffbee.bsky.social•217 days ago

That said, most of the job of traffic enforcement can be done without gun carrying pseudo military officers

Both regular and average speed cameras (and big signs advertising them) and red light cameras work pretty darn well.

aristofontes.bsky.social•219 days ago

And yet they're killing more Black people than ever, almost as if they view that as their real job.

fredthewonderdog.bsky.social•219 days ago

Mr. Atherton, Your chart does show a significant reduction on traffic stops, but that does not necessarily support the conclusion that roads are deadlier. Do you have data showing an increase of traffic accidents that corresponds to the decline in ticketing?

isengard.bsky.social•219 days ago

being killed by a speeding driver is going to suck, but on the flip side at least the police are throwing this tantrum because they've finally realized that nobody likes them

echidnabeans.bsky.social•217 days ago

Sounds like what a class exclusively composed of bastards might do.

atherton.bsky.social•218 days ago

Lots of weird defenses of lawless driving in the replies so let me state plainly that if you're operating a heavy machine of the kind responsible for 40,000+ deaths last year, the government has a vested interest in you doing so responsibly. I agree traffic calming better, but police strike notable.

tr-murf.bsky.social•218 days ago

The amount of people in Denver who just drive around without a license plate now is just shocking. These brazen jerks don’t pay for their use of roads and the police are nowhere to be found. It’s actively pissing away infrastructure revenue.

rational.bsky.social•218 days ago

Should fire half of those cops, take the money that would go for their salary and pension and insurance and paying settlements to innocent people they would inevitably abuse, and use the $$ to build separated cycle tracks with reinforced concrete bollards to keep cars out

funranium.bsky.social•218 days ago

When I pointed this out to the person on UCPD I interact with the most, his response was "We could wrangle traffic, but that would mean leaving frat row to it's own devices and no one wants that. Besides, BPD would get pissy about their turf despite not doing it either."

omfproductions.bsky.social•218 days ago

Automated enforcement of traffic laws seems the way to handle it. Traffic calming infrastructure is also great and needed but it isn't going to stop people curb hopping, running lights, or recklessly speeding. Most of those people willfully choose to drive dangerously. Take cops out of enforcement.

legalminimum.bsky.social•218 days ago

Your second and third sentences seem directly to contradict your fourth and first.

helenofwhat.bsky.social•218 days ago

Usually "traffic calming infrastructure" is referring to redesigned streets (narrower roads, daylighting corners, raised crosswalks, trees, etc) not cams. Design improves safety but would not say, reduce red light runners. We have a big speed bump on my block and people still speed. Both is best.

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