Bill to Punish Cities with Red Light Cameras Clears Ohio House

[DGUtley]

Ohio lawmakers' latest attempt to shut down red light and speed cameras passed the Ohio House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Unlike previous attempts to shutter the controversial technology, House Bill 410 doesn't put restrictions on the cameras. Instead, it makes cities lose money by moving camera-initiated violations to municipal court and deducting money from state appropriations in the amount cities and villages generate from camera tickets.


Bill to Punish Cities with Red Light Cameras Clears Ohio House

[Standing Wolf]

Ohio lawmakers' latest attempt to shut down red light and speed cameras passed the Ohio House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Unlike previous attempts to shutter the controversial technology, House Bill 410 doesn't put restrictions on the cameras. Instead, it makes cities lose money by moving camera-initiated violations to municipal court and deducting money from state appropriations in the amount cities and villages generate from camera tickets.


Bill to Punish Cities with Red Light Cameras Clears Ohio House

Unfortunately, measures such as this have become necessary because of the predatory collusion being practiced by some cities and the people who own and maintain the cameras. I particularly like the part about deducting state money in the amount of what the cameras bring in. The contracts to install and operate red light cameras, for example, usually prohibit the city from adjusting the timing of the light to make the amber longer, even though that would reduce accidents - because it would also reduce violations and negatively affect the company's income.

What I would like to see more of are the pedestrian count-down displays that tell you how many seconds you have to get across the street before the light changes. As a driver, those provide me with very useful information as to how long that green light is going to stay green and whether I need to start slowing down.

[MisterVeritis]

As a driver, those provide me with very useful information as to how long that green light is going to stay green and whether I need to start slowing down.

Or speeding UP!

[Ethereal]

Although I agree with the sentiment, I tend to favor local autonomy over rule from afar. Local populations ought to decide how their local governments operate. That said, if local governments are accepting State funds, then the State has every right to make adjustments to how those funds are dispersed.

[Peter1469]

Around here the speed and red light cameras are well known to the locals, so they are not very effective.