Surveillance/Common Sense/Webcams

In May I enjoyed a one-day road trip to and from Washington, DC.  I was the driver.  Several weeks later the mail brought me a traffic violation notice from the State of Maryland.

- Surveillance -  It was a speeding ticket.  The clear photo of my SUV moving along the highway was provided as evidence. Surely I tried to be careful but I exceeded the speed limit.  I was caught.  I paid the fine. I had seen the posted signage informing drivers of camera surveillance to identify speeders.  My privacy was not invaded.  I was forewarned.  

          In an entirely non-related instance, I heard a mother issue a warning to her eleven-year-old daughter who was making a cell phone videotape of the mother.  “Stop it.  I have not given you permission to do that.  You are invading my privacy and you can’t do that to anyone.  You have to ask them first.”   It wasn't surveillance but it was invasion of privacy and that child has been forewarned.   Not enough young people get the training. 

- Common Sense -  I marvel at the evidence that common sense has become equivalent to that of an endangered specie – almost non-existence.

Examples:  
(a.) People write and receive text messages while they are driving.  It’s an absolutely stupid behavior.  Talking on the cell when you are behind the wheel is just about as bad.  Where is the common sense?  Rules have been issued and more are debated.

(b.) Folks don’t have smoke alarms in their homes, or they let the batteries go bad. I'm an example of that.  Horrible!   Some rules exist especially for new construction and modification of property.

(c.) People drink and drive.  Terrible!  Certainly a matter of common sense, still it is also a matter of law not to drink and drive.

- Webcams and Common Sense - How many colleges and universities have regulations to address surveillance activity, webcam activity?  Do they inform students against using cameras or other communication technology that infringe upon the privacy of another individual?  Are they told misuse of webcams would be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion?  I would like to know.   There has been overwhelming evidence in my part of the world that college students need that firm guidance. 
           It was a court case sometimes referred to as the Rutger's University Webcam Spying Case and other times as the Dharun Ravi Case.  Throughout the court room proceedings, I've laid awake thinking college students with all the new personal technology, perhaps living away from home for the first time, do need updated rules in order to better assure they continue on to the grand futures they and their families have planned and worked for them to have.  I know, an abundance of rules should not be necessary.    But where it is apparent common sense is lacking,  a thorough policy statement is critical for the good of the young people and their families (for whom I sorely grieve).  What do you think?