Rats in a Maze



Baltimore Sun photo by Kim Hairston

 A few months ago, the state of Maryland installed speed cameras in the work zones on the major highways.  I was caught by one as I sped off to work one day and I've had a few friends who've been nabbed in a similar manner.  It's not a big deal, a small fine with no points.  But I learned to pay attention to the shoulder of the road and keep an eye out for the tell-tale trucks with the speed cameras attached to the front.

It took a little getting used to, but the position of the cameras never changes so I don't even think about it anymore.  Last night, going home, I realized that everyone else has figured this out as well.  The flow of traffic slows down significantly immediately before the location of the speed camera, then resumes normal rates of acceleration as soon as the camera is out of range.  The cars in the traffic behind someone who hasn't yet learned the system get impatient and zoom around and I wondered if these cameras were really effective.

Then it struck me that we were just like rats, or mice, in a maze where the scientists change the pattern every once in a while to see what will happen.  We've learned this new pattern and want to get through it as quickly as possible so we can enjoy our personal time.  All the speed camera people need to do is change the location of these machines every couple of weeks and they would be successful.  This would keep people guessing and they would be forced to maintain a lower speed until they were out of the work zone completely. 

Of course, there is the argument right now that these speed cameras are more of a revenue generator than a safety device.  Obviously, revenue is being generated and this is not a bad thing as far as the state budgets go, but is it really creating a safer environment?  For those of us that have learned the system, and for those that are impatient with other drivers who haven't, are accidents really being avoided or is this just another catalyst for reckless driving?