Bill would ban traffic cameras statewide in Ohio

Ohio legislators proposed a ban on traffic enforcement cameras to eliminate what they see as violations of drivers’ rights. The recently introduced bill would eliminate the use of photo monitoring devices to detect speed and traffic signal violations. Several Central Ohio municipalities have banned the use of cameras in lieu of traffic enforcement — some after months of disputes. Residents in Chillicothe and Heath overwhelmingly voted to eliminate red-light cameras in November 2009 after concerns that cited drivers could not face their accuser in court. The Mansfield City Council unanimously voted down an ordinance to install red-light cameras in January 2010 after a vigorous letter campaign against the proposal. Red-light cameras have proved to be a hazard to public safety, Rep. Ron Hood, R-Ashville, wrote in a statement. He is co-sponsoring the bill introduced by Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, and Rep. Dale Mallory, D-Cincinnati. “Several recent studies, including a federal report, have confirmed that traffic photo-monitoring devices increase the number of rear-end collisions at intersections that are monitored by these devices,” Hood wrote. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Ruehlman ruled Thursday that a village near Cincinnati was violating drivers’ right to due process by issuing $105 fines on speeding violations via cameras that issued thousands of tickets. “Elmwood Place is engaged in nothing more than a high-tech game of 3 CARD MONTY. It is a scam the motorists can’t win,” Ruehlman wrote in his decision. However, Jonathan Adkins, deputy executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said traffic enforcement cameras deter unsafe driving. Many people dislike them simply because they like to speed and think it’s their right, Adkins said. “From a highway safety standpoint, it’s critical that states allow communities to use these,” Adkins said. If the ban passed, Ohio would become the 13th state to outlaw cameras that issue speeding violations and the 10th to eliminate red-light cameras. jbalmert@central http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20130308/NEWS01/303080033/Bill-would-ban-traffic-cameras-statewide?nclick_check=1 Contact your representative http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/member-directory