More directly, there are devices that have been shown to increase safety far better than speed cameras -- those electronic signs that ready your current speed back to you (and flash if it's too high).
The problem with fines and fees is that it puts a price on things, which is why those electric signs work so much better than speeding cameras.
Sure, a $100, $200, or more ticket is expensive and a lot of money to some people it allows the people who can afford it to easily rationalize the behavior.
"It's only $200 bucks it's clearly not that big of an issue, if it was a real danger it would be more expensive"
However the speed blinkers let you know you're doing something wrong and these condition you to feel guilty therefore slowing down.
Every time I drive by one of those, I look at it, which completely distracts me from the road. (how fast does it say I'm going? Does my speedometer say the same thing? It doesn't!?)
yep, people will naturally drive at any speed they determine to be safe for the road they are on. Those signs help make them aware of it.
I can honestly say that 90% of the time, I probably am not sure what the speed limit of a road is that I am on. I naturally slow down in residential areas, and speed up for highways. Generally this is 75mph or so in my area with a speed limit of 65mph. If they raised the speed limit to 85mph, I personally wouldn't really like it and probably wouldn't drive that speed.
I've gotten only one speeding ticket in my life, and I have never been in any accidents of any sort. The speeding ticket was on a 2-lane straight road, in the middle of the day with barely anyone around, so I was more comfortable with going fast and didn't even know I was going that fast.
edit: if you're going to down vote me, at least add to the discussion and prove me wrong.
Sure, a $100, $200, or more ticket is expensive and a lot of money to some people it allows the people who can afford it to easily rationalize the behavior.
"It's only $200 bucks it's clearly not that big of an issue, if it was a real danger it would be more expensive"
However the speed blinkers let you know you're doing something wrong and these condition you to feel guilty therefore slowing down.