In order to evade new incriminating technology, used by law enforcement to catch illegal acts when they are not around, the general public has turned to a new technology of its own. Phone, computer, and GPS applications have been developed that can detect the cameras in red lights and speed zones. While some police officers are against these applications, others believe they will make drivers more alert and aware while they are driving.
It can be argued that these new features even the playing field for drivers, but it can also be argued that they are very dangerous. Law enforcement is spending a lot of money to catch driver breaking the law, even when they are present. James Vlahos says, “In the era of computer-controlled surveillance, your every move could be captured by cameras, whether you’re shopping in the grocery store or driving on the freeway.” Many people feel cheated by these technologies and it is likely that a large number will start using the applications that combat them. However, in order to use these applications they will have to be paying attention to their electronics while driving. This can cause problems, as they will be distracted from the road.
According to GoMo news, “Chetan Sharma Consulting (with a little help from GetJar) has predicted that the number of mobile apps downloads will increase from more than 7 billion downloads in 2009 to 50 billion in 2012.” The size and growth of the app world is difficult to grasp until we see applications as diverse PhantomAlert, which can be downloaded to detect speed and red light cameras. If we are using apps to evade law enforcement, the possibilities for their uses are endless. With these new applications the question of app regulation comes into play. Should companies allow these apps to be used and sold for their products, if they could perhaps cause some harm like undermining police? As the app world grows, it will be more and more difficult to control. People should begin to question at what point apps stop being a positive thing that make life easier, and start to be only about making money.
Electronic applications are also starting to use social networking to their advantage. Trapster is an application that provides counter-law information based on what is submitted by other users. Similarly, PhantomAlert alerts drivers about DUI checkpoints that are reported to them from drivers who use their application. It seems that these applications are making it easier for people to work together in opposition of law enforcement, and it is giving them another platform to do so.
It is difficult to discern when the line between useful and harmful is being crossed. For many people who actively develop these apps, they are only worried about profit, and often don’t care about the full long-term effects. I would not say that these applications used to counter new police technology are necessarily bad; there are policemen who are in favor of the apps. However, they should definitely be monitored. Today, almost anything is possible, and everything is right out our fingertips. The original purpose of apps was to make our lives easier. If we are not careful, apps will soon become more of a burden.
Copeland, Larry. "High-tech Apps Help Drivers Evade Police - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-21-1Ascofflaw21_ST_N.htm>.
Dennis, Tony. "Growth in Mobile Apps May Have Hidden Dangers." GoMo News. 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2011
Dennis, Tony. "Growth in Mobile Apps May Have Hidden Dangers." GoMo News. 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2011
Dennis, Tony. "Growth in Mobile Apps May Have Hidden Dangers." GoMo News. 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2011
Vlahos, James. "Surveillance Society: New High-Tech Cameras Are Watching You - Popular Mechanics." Automotive Care, Home Improvement, Tools, DIY Tips - Popular Mechanics. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. <http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/4236865>.
We all know that cameras in red lights and speed zones are some of the most obnoxious things on the roads today next to all the bad drivers. After a tough work and school week, to get slammed with a $60 ticket just doesn’t sit well with any of us. If there are applications to help combat this, then I’m all for it, with a hint of caution. Wade points out that there are police officers for the use of these applications because they will raise awareness. That’s the caveat, the fact that in order to raise your awareness, you must be using your phone. We can all agree that there has been a considerable movement towards drivers just driving. TxtResponsibly.org has worked to raise awareness about the growing epidemic of texting while driving. They are not the only ones and their inception is due to the shocking statistics that have arisen. Cell phone use contributes to an estimated 6 percent of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year. (Harvard Center of Risk Analysis). In all reality, a ticket which puts a dent in your wallet is much better than not seeing tomorrow. To reiterate Wade, it is difficult to discern the line between useful and harmful. These apps are meant to be helpful but if they being to start taking lives instead of avoiding tickets, I could definitely see the need for regulation of such apps.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the development of apps like this is a wakeup call to the police and government that with the innovative technology they use to try and catch people breaking the law, people can respond with a different set of innovative technology to counteract it. I think that these apps is a way of saying that the technology the police are using is unfair. Let me explain... While it does seem like red light cameras and radar checkpoints are being used to enforce the law better, it cannot be ignored the large amount of revenue that the government is bringing in from the result of the new mail-to-your-home tickets. I remember reading the paper at home over the summer, just as Long Island underwent a mass growth in red light cameras, that almost $2 million had already come in from these tickets in the month or so they had been around. It used to be that going 5-10 mph over the speed limit was ok but now, with these cameras, 5-10 mph over the speed limit could lead to a nice $50-100 fine. Wade says that the people who develop these apps are only worried about profit, but isn't the government just doing the same thing?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the last couple of sentences in Keith's comment. Even though there are some apps out there that are completely ridiculous and unsafe in their attempt to circumvent critical driving laws (i.e. the DUI checkpoint locator, etc.), drivers who use these apps aren't doing anything that the government isn't. Personally, I just received a $45 fine this past month for going 5 mph over the speed limit on a road where I thought I was just going the normal speed. Putting aside the issue of avoiding unnecessary fines, I agree with some of the police officers in the article in that having some of these apps would not only make the roads safer to drive on, but the jobs of police officers easier. Whether a person is using a speed radar check or not, isn't the important thing that they are going the speed limit and abiding by the law. As long as apps like these are regulated to the extent that they do not make the jobs of police officers harder or the roads more dangerous I see no reason to think that not only should they exist, but that more like them should be created.
ReplyDeleteIt seems there is an app for pretty much anything these days, but I am not as impressed with this one as much as I am with others. The fact that the government felt cameras in red lights and speed zones were necessary to make people abide by rules is ridiculous enough. This technology seems like it benefits the "law breakers" more so than those who respect the law. This provides them with protection from the law and risks the safety of average citizen. I felt uncomfortable reading that there was an app to notify drivers of where DUI stops are located. Of course it is good for those who would never consider driving drunk to know, being as though they could easily use the app to avoid traffic. But its even better (but in reality worse) from the perspective of the drunk driver who would do anything not to get caught. Do we want drunk drivers to have this knowledge at there fingertips? I don't, especially not while they are operating a vehicle. This could trigger more accidents on back roads, which tend to be darker, "woodsier" and dangerous to drive in at night as is.The statistics Dilshan blogged of the car accident fatalities caused by texting while driving needed to be stressed. Sadly, most of these fatalities are preventable. In response to Wade's statement: It is difficult to discern when the line between useful and harmful is being crossed. These apps must be used responsibly and for the right reasons in order to be useful. Taking advantage of the information these apps provide is when it becomes harmful.
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