TheNewspaper.com Roundup: April 11, 2012


Each Wednesday, we’ll publish quick summaries of the articles from the last week on TheNewspaper.com. We’re doing this because these articles are often strongly connected to the issues that National Motorists Association members are interested in.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Washington Supreme Court Restricts Car Searches
The state constitution in Washington provides its drivers greater privacy protections. Last Thursday, the state Supreme Court ruled that this principle should be applied to automobile searches, shielding Evergreen State residents from intrusions that would otherwise be legal under federal precedent.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
California Assembly Committee Votes for Longer Yellow Times
The California Assembly’s Transportation Committee yesterday voted unanimously to lengthen yellow warning times at intersections that use red light cameras. The same legislation also reduces the cost of a rolling-right turn automated fine from $500 to $250.

Monday, April 09, 2012
Ohio Court Rules Plate Cannot Go in Rear Window
An Ohio license plate cannot be displayed in the rear window of a vehicle, the state Court of Appeals ruled on March 30. A three-judge panel considered the issue after Justin Fredo was stopped on July 30, 2009 for placing his valid, permanent license plate in the in the back window of his truck where Fredo believed it was clearly visible. The state trooper who stopped him insisted it had to be attached to the bumper, and that it was not visible because it was not illuminated. State law only requires that the plate be properly secured and in plain view.

Sunday, April 08, 2012
Germany, Latvia: Speed Cameras Disabled
In Riga, Latvia a mobile photo radar van was parked on Daugavgrivas Street last Sunday. According to Delfi, a passing pedestrian dumped white yogurt across the back of the van, preventing it from issuing tickets until the van’s driver cleaned the windows.

Friday, April 06, 2012
Texas Expands 80 MPH Speed Limit
Roads nationwide are getting faster. States around the country have been experiencing record low fatality rates, despite posting speed limits, in some cases 25 MPH faster than the Double Nickel limit imposed in 1975. That has encouraged jurisdictions to continue boosting the legal maximum.

Thursday, April 05, 2012
Federal Court Upholds Border Roadblock 25 Miles From Border
The US Supreme Court has upheld the use of suspicionless “border” roadblocks more located more than twenty-five miles from the actual border. In practice, these purported immigration checkpoints are heavily used to search motorists traveling between California and Arizona without probable cause. On Friday, the US District Court for the District of Arizona ruled that this conduct was permissible.

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