Watch the red light's in DC

[Andrew <apuck@ast.lmco.com>]

Audifans,

Just some interesting news, thought I could share with the group. In the
happy pursuit too increase share holder value ;) It seems to me like the
insurance could also win in this type of information?

-- 
Andrew
   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(   ,(  
`-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-'  `-

>    AAA OPPOSES LOCKHEED MARTIN RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN D.C.: The
>    Automobile Association of America has urged Mayor Anthony A.
>    Williams to rescind the District's contract for automated traffic
>    cameras, saying the program to catch red-light runners should
>    improve public safety, not offer the camera suppliers an opportunity
>    to make money on lawbreakers. In a two-page letter to Williams, Lon
>    Anderson, director of public and government relations for the
>    mid-Atlantic division of AAA, said the automobile association
>    supports detection cameras, but he contends that Lockheed Martin
>    should not receive a share of the violators'fines. "The main impetus
>    for the program must be to save lives, not to enhance corporate
>    profits," the letter said. If the cameras catch as many violators as
>    expected, Lockheed Martin will receive about $28 million over the
>    three-year contract. Initially, the company will get $32 of each $75
>    fine paid, dropping to $16 a ticket as the number of citations
>    increases. "This contract is a huge conflict of interest for both
>    the District and Lockheed Martin," Anderson said in his letter to
>    Williams. "The goal of the program should be to see the number of
>    red-light runners reduced to zero. What incentive is there for
>    Lockheed Martin to see the problem reduced? Citizens have a reason
>    to question whether the District is acting to save lives or make
>    money, or worse, make money for Lockheed Martin. A spokesman for
>    AAA, said the District's arrangement with Lockheed is the only
>    ticket-for-commission contract in the area, although other
>    jurisdictions have contracts with Lockheed for detection cameras. He
>    said that AAA strongly supports using red-light camera technology to
>    deter motorists from running red lights but that the District's
>    current contract with Lockheed Martin "taints the system." Mayor
>    Williams' acting city administrator said the District will respond
>    to AAA's letter but does not plan to rescind or alter its contract
>    with Lockheed Martin. He also said there is no apparent conflict of
>    interest in the District's giving Lockheed Martin a cut of ticket
>    revenue. (Washington Post)