Automated Enforcement Systems Can Change Driving Regulations
Law enforcement agencies can use all of the help that they can get in their efforts to keep our roads safe. A lot of tools and tax dollars are used in accomplishing this goal. Lately, automated enforcement has proven to be a very effective option. Automated enforcement allows authorities to monitor and enforce traffic safety laws in a cost efficient manner. With this new technology, they can monitor whether drivers obey traffic safety laws, including speeding, reckless driving, or running a red light. This can be very helpful for preventing accidents. It can also be of great benefit to the DMV, who can use the technology to save money and simplify their vehicle registration process.
What is Automated Enforcement
“Automated enforcement” refers to the use of video cameras to enforce traffic safety laws, and help law enforcement prevent dangerous driving. In most cases, automated enforcement programs are used for enforcing speed limits, detecting red light violations, as well as for identifying drivers who fail to stop at a stop sign, or yield for a pedestrian. Currently, there are about twenty states that have automated enforcement laws.
Automated Registration Checking Could Make Registration Stickers Obsolete
Cameras used by law enforcement agencies for checking license plates could also be used by the DMV. With the technology, the DMV could verify license registration information automatically, and eliminate the need for manual sticker checks. Car owners are required to put a new registration sticker on their license plates after every annual vehicle registration renewal. As most of us can agree, this is an annoying process. Even if you renew your registration correctly, and forget to apply the sticker to your plates, you will be subject to a ticket. Automation would relieve the hassle that drivers have to go through each year. If the DMV was to eliminate registration stickers, they would save a lot of money on administration, printing and mailing – which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. This can help ease strain on state budgets. This change would definitely be welcomed by trucking companies or rental car companies, that are responsible for renewing a large fleet of vehicles.
While there is no arguing the positive financial impact of eliminating registration stickers, there are concerns about privacy implications. With automated plate recognition technology, officers can easily check license plates for an unregistered or an uninsured car. In addition to automated enforcement cameras, officers can use cameras mounted in police cars for this purpose, as well. The license plate data will be stored in a law-enforcement computer information system, which all officers will have access to.
If stickers get eliminated from the whole vehicle registration process, vehicle owners will be able to renew registration online, without having to go to the DMV only to obtain their registration sticker and put in on their cars.
For now, you still need registration stickers on your license plate. To renew, visit a DMV office.