Lecture # 4 (Part 1) - When Making Database of Public Information available to the Public Can Be Bad

Lecture # 4 -
When Making Database of Public Information available to the Public Can Be Bad

Question 1:

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 a ticket? Why or why not ?

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong for the law enforcement agencies frequently publish the location of red-light camera programs and speed traps through an app.  By doing so, the road users are more alert when passing by specific areas and eventually reduce the speed or obeying to the traffic rules and hence reduce of the road accident rate.

The ultimate purpose of the law enforcement agencies is to create awareness and educate among the road users to obey the traffic rules but not with the intention of catching as many as possible for those offended the traffic rules as their key performance index.

The key issue is not confined to “should’ or “should not” but is  to resolve the problems in the most effective way.

Question 2:

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 ?

What is DUI ?

Driving under the influence (DUI), is a crime when driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit.

Yes. There is no issue of publish the information of the DUI checkpoints using an app drivers. If the information is published by the law enforcement agencies, it indicates that the information is meant to be shared among the public. Hence, it does not matter to have an app because an app for drivers is just a medium to share the information.

If law enforcement agencies do not publish DUI checkpoint information, is it okay to have an app that alerts drivers to those locations? Why or why not ?

In my opinion, so long as it is not prohibited under the law, it is still okay to have an app that alerts drivers to those locations. This is because the purpose of alerts is to remind the drivers not to drive any vehicles when they are under any drugs influence.

Question 3:

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 you use your phone ?

The potential danger is that the driver may be not focusing in driving and it will cause road accident. I seldom use my phone while driving. The only purpose I am using the phone while driving is the function of Global Positioning System (GPS).

Question 4:

Isn’t the sharing of information, such as the location of a DUI checkpoint, protected freedom of speech by the Constitution? Can the government rally 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 ?

Yes. Sharing of information such as the location of a DUI checkpoint is protected freedom of speech by the Constitution. The government has no rights to create any law to prohibit this due to the rights are protected by the Constitution.

 It must be clear that sharing of information is nothing wrong in terms of legal and constitutional aspect. The only issue is whether one will make proper use of the information or one will be abusing the rights and misuse the information.

For example, there is always a risk when driving a car on a road because there might be car accident happening. It is very inappropriate for the government to pass a law to prohibit the public from driving on the roads due the high accidents rate in the country. The main solution for the problem is not to prohibit the public to drive but to educate the public how to drive carefully.

In short, it is not ethical for drivers to share this type of information so that a drunk driver can avoid being caught but it is legal to share that type of information.