George,

The objection to automated TV camera traffic tickets for running red lights has nothing whatever to do with the broader issue of surveillance.

Those traffic tickets are sent on the presumption the person DMV issued the license plate to is guilty of a crime. He is presumed guilty unless he will testify otherwise.

This is a reversal of the American presumption of innocence system and plays demeaning games with the 5th Amendment against self-incrimination.

Anyone who can't recognize that and holds public office might be asked to explain how he thinks our system of justice operates.

There is a Constitutional way to use surveillance to curb traffic light violations. Send the notice of the car running the light to the auto insurer.

First, whatever an insurance company does has no Constitutional component. The Constitution defines what government can do, not what citizens can do. Government is perfectly free to be a tattle-tale.

Second, a potential rate increase or policy cancellation has far more consequence to the car owner than some paltry fine. The owner would be more induced to take responsibility for how the car is operated, no matter who the operator is.

Third, the insurance companies will have a better chance to know and perhaps improve the driving habits of their clients, which is what they are after. "If your car is operated in this way again, it could jeopardize your coverage with us," is a mighty powerful message.

Rey Barry (electronic mail, December 2, 2001).