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The pendulum has swung the other way in what critics are hailing as a good move in the state of Arizona.  Speed cameras that were designed to take pictures of license plates of speeding cars are being turned off for good.

If you were a driver on the freeways around Phoenix, you could have found a speeding ticket in your mailbox if you were travelling at 11 mph above the posted limit.  This system was operated by a private company under the watch of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

In all this affects over 70 cameras along with vans that travelled the interstate system in search of speeding violators.

Supporters of the system say that it helped slow down motorists while reducing the severity of accidents which saves lives.  Opponents have stood by their claim that it creates a ‘big brother’ atmosphere where everything is suspect and personal rights are trampled upon with impunity.

This also has a detrimental effect upon the company which runs the system.  They will have to write off millions of dollars of assets not to mention the money that they were making while running the program.

The best way to handle the problem of speeding is easy:  self-monitoring and use of technology.

GPS Tracking assistance. If you install a GPS Tracking device in your vehicle, you can get an accurate reading of your speed during any point of your travels.  This data has been successfully used in court to defend against moving violation tickets.

Using Active Driving Skills.  Most people become more passive, the more they drive.  This has to stop.  You must become and remain an active participant in your driving so to avoid not only moving violations, but accidents as well.  This is the number one way to avoid tickets.  Slow down, pay attention to traffic signals and signs and don’t get in a hurry.  Also, make sure that you are wearing your seat belt.  And, avoid driving while under the influence of any substance that can impair you as a driver.

Know Your Rights. You do have rights in defending yourself in the event that you are given a citation for a moving violation.  While putting up a defense can cost you a lot of money, it can keep points from going onto your license.  Be sure that the charges against you are accurate and that you were indeed breaking the law.  That is the first place to start your defense.  Otherwise, pay your fine and move on.

It does not take much to avoid tickets.  Just use common sense and pay attention.