Jay Leno Discusses Destruction of Speed Cameras on BBC

**StlouisX50** · 08-05-2009, 08:44 AM

Jay Leno Discusses Destruction of Speed Cameras on BBC
Former Tonight Show host speaks approvingly of vigilante attacks on photo enforcement.

Legendary talk show host Jay Leno views speed cameras as one of the reasons the UK no longer feels like a free country. Appearing Sunday on the top-rated BBC show Top Gear, Leno suggested that as a visitor, the number of cameras in England is overwhelming. He also suggested that US drivers have a much less tolerant attitude toward photo enforcement.

"See in L.A., people would say, 'why not just shoot them out?'" Leno said. "In L.A., a day doesn't go by you don't see a styrofoam cup stuck over the lens of the speed camera."

The line about shooting speed cameras drew both laughter and great applause from the crowd. Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson even appeared momentarily surprised at his counterpart's suggestion of vigilantism.

The US public has become increasingly aggressive against the use of automated ticketing machines. A pair of Montgomery County, Maryland photo radar units this week found themselves covered with spraypaint. One unit had its lens covered with red paint and the second had black paint cover two lens squares and a straight line offering something of the look of a smiley face. The speed cameras were installed to issue tickets to the visitors of a nearby country club located on Seven Locks Road. A similar incident was reported in the state of Arizona over the weekend. A member of Camerafraud.com snapped a photo of a speed camera on State Route 51 that had its lens covered in black spraypaint (view photo).

UK vigilantes, however, have been far from inactive. This week a speed camera in Kent on the A21 just before the bridge near Tonbridge was set on fire and destroyed. Although Leno referred to speed cameras being defeated with styrofoam cups, he was actually referring to red light cameras. California law prohibits the use of cameras to issue speeding tickets. San Jose was the last city in the Golden State to give up on photo radar in 2007 after a court ruling chastised local officials for defying the law.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCLSTjCt_Gw"]View an excerpt of the Leno interview[/ame].

Article Excerpt:Transcript of interview

Clarkson: I have to say this in terms of America. I used to think when I went down there it was a bit like going to a prison just with more food. And that when you came home you felt like you were coming back to a free country. Now I find it's the other way around.

Leno: Well, you have these speed cameras here. See in L.A., people would say, 'why not just shoot them out?'

[audience applause]

Clarkson: I have a gun.

Leno: In L.A., a day doesn't go by you don't see a styrofoam cup stuck over the lens of the speed camera.

**Obsidian** · 08-05-2009, 02:57 PM

The article clarifies his "In L.A., a day doesn't go by you don't see a styrofoam cup stuck over the lens of the speed camera" comment somewhat, by factually stating there are no speed cameras in California. However, I've never seen a styrofoam cup covering even a RLC camera here either ... they are not built that way. I guess he was trying to be funny.

**v1user** · 08-05-2009, 03:12 PM

I was in the UK two weeks ago and I must say I was amazed at how many speed cameras they have. It seemed like every red light had cameras too.

**corkguykev** · 08-05-2009, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jay Leno

I hope he has enough tape!!!

**lugnuts** · 08-06-2009, 06:05 AM

what kind of car guy is he? he should be here in the states fighting cash for clunkers!

**JDS** · 08-06-2009, 09:14 PM

Apparently nobody is willing to stand up for poor defenseless twin-turbo Volvo S80s being crushed.

**Asleeper** · 08-09-2009, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by JDS

Apparently nobody is willing to stand up for poor defenseless twin-turbo Volvo S80s being crushed.

Don't get me started on that one..............another winner just like the stimulus checks.

. This one is even worse since they are destroying what are in many cases perfectly good, running vehicles. Many of which could have been resold at some cost to poor to get real "clunkers" off the road or charities that can't afford to buy new vehicles.

Oh yeah, the $2B extension was borrowed from a program for green energy projects.

**JDS** · 08-09-2009, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Asleeper

Oh yeah, the $2B extension was borrowed from a program for green energy projects.

I guess I feel a LITTLE better now, so long as it's really "taken" and not "loaned" as in "will be given back".

**StlouisX50** · 08-10-2009, 09:44 AM

It has nothing to do with the poor or what not. The poor cant afford to put the gas into the clunkers every day. You have to think ahead when purchasing things!