When making a database of public information available to the public can be bad

Q1: Let’s separate the two issues. First, law enforcement agencies frequently publish the location of red-light camera programs and speed traps. Should that published information be made available through an app to help drivers avoid getting ticket? Why and why not?

In our opinion, since the information of the location of red-light camera programs and speed traps are published, the information should be made available through an app. The purpose of the red-light camera programs and speed traps is meant to guild driver to follows the rule and usually those area with such camera are the hot-spot of accident. The only way that the driver could use the apps to avoid tickets, is to follow the rule at the particular area and this no doubt helping reduce accident happen in certain area.

Q2: Second, let’s consider location information for DUI checkpoints. IF law enforcement agencies publish this information, is it okay to have an app for drivers? Why and why not? If law enforcement agencies do not publish DUI checkpoint information, is it okay to have an app that alerts drivers to those locations? Why and why not?

Same as Question 1, we still think that if the information is published, it will be okay to have such apps. The worried about drunk driver using such app to avoid DUI somehow could be untrue. This is because how could a driver being alerted by apps if he or she is drunk? Even the drunk driver is alerted by the apps, could the drunk driver react accordingly when he or she is drunk. The answer is negative.  However, if DUI checkpoint information is not publish, due to data protection act and public safety act, such information shall not be publish thru an apps as it is ageist the law.

 

Q3: Many people believe that drivers should not use a smartphone at all, even for making phone calls, while operating a vehicle. What kind of potential danger does this added distraction create? How often do you drive and use your phone? For what purpose do you use your phone?

Drivers who use smartphone making phone call are four times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury. The risk to the public is serious. Driver could not be focus when he or she is talking while driving even using a hand free. However, smartphone could use as GPS. A GPS system could guild the driver to the correct direction by voice speaker. Driver need not even look at the smartphone and the driver could focus on the driving. Myself are very unlikely to use phone while driving even GPS as I need full focus while driving. I will only use my phone if I really lost and do not know the direction and at that time I will stop my car and open gps or call for helps.

 

Q4: Isn’t the sharing of information, such as the location of a DUI check point, protected freedom of speech by the Constituition? Can the government really create laws to prohibit this? On the other hand, is it ethical for drivers to share this type of information so that a drunk driver can avoid being caught?

There is always a balance with the freedom of speech and the public safety. If sharing of DUI check point really being misused to let drunk driver avoid being caught, then this action shall be prohibited as this will cause safety problem to the road user. However, if there isn’t any evidence showing that this sharing information did help “drunk” driver avoid being caught but just let driver become drive smarter, the government could not pass any law to prohibit public to share any information under the freedom of speech. However, it is always not ethical to share such information if the purpose is to help others to avoid being caught but it will be ethical if the intention is to let others driver to drive safely.