'Bout time

I see in the paper that Collier County is ready to start installing cameras at intersections to catch red light runners.

Good.

It's about time.

Too many drivers around here seem to think a red light means 'two more drivers can sneak through. Maybe three.'

They make driving a hazard to my health.

I also see that a lot of scared drivers are raising a ruckus about the cameras. Saying things like it's taking away our rights and it's an invasion of our privacy and it's just another example of Big Brother taking over.

Bull!

There is no constitutional right to drive. It's a privilege. And the moment you get behind the wheel you are agreeing to obey the traffic laws of the area where you will be driving.

No, it's not an invasion of privacy. The moment you step outside your front door, you have placed yourself in the public domain. ANYONE can take your picture and use it for any non-commercial purpose (including news) that they want.

Big Brother? Give me a break. The cameras are taking pictures of vehicles breaking only one very specific law. The cameras can't search for drugs or check for valid drivers licenses or even discover if you're driving without pants. The cameras catch vehicles running red lights. Period. You want our limited number of law enforcement officers parked at intersections ticketing red light runners? Or you want then out solving crimes and going after actual criminals? You constitutional types: They might even have time to track down one of your feared illegals or two. How about that?

And finally, folks, NO, the courts have NOT found them to be unconstitutional. Just the opposite. And no, none of those schemes to hide your license plates work. But if you want to give scam artists your money, you just go ahead.

Me, I'm gonna try to refrain from running any red lights.

Anything else, and any other argument (any anyone making that argument) is just plain stupid.

And so it goes.