Those cameras aren’t usually easily or cheaply adapted to surveillance. Most are really simple and don’t have things like reliable time sync. Also, road jurisdictions are really complex and surveillance requires too much coordination. State, county, town, city all have different bureaucratic processes and funding models.
Surveillance is all about Flock. The feds are handing out grants to everyone, and the police drop the things everywhere. They can locate cars, track routine trips, and all sorts of creepy stuff.
In my city, cameras for traffic light control are on almost every signalized intersection, and the video is public record and frequently used to review collisions. These cameras are extremely cheaply and easily adapted to surveillance. Public records are public records statewide.
With all due respect, you are kidding yourself if you think those cameras aren’t used for surveillance/ logging
They don’t have to be “adapted” to surveillance - they are made with that in mind
Obviously older generations of equipment aren’t included here - so technically you may be correct for old/outdated equipment installed areas that aren’t of interest
Surveillance is all about Flock. The feds are handing out grants to everyone, and the police drop the things everywhere. They can locate cars, track routine trips, and all sorts of creepy stuff.