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, August 08, 2012
Pennsylvania Red Light Camera Violations Have Not Decreased
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett last month signed legislation massively expanding the use of red light cameras in the state. The state House waited until the dead of night to pass the measure giving jurisdictions with populations greater than 20,000 the ability to install automated ticketing machines, generating an estimated $49,502,545 in revenue in the first year.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Maryland: Cop Turns Against Photo Enforcement Program
A police officer in Riverdale Park, Maryland refuses to be a party to fraud. According to a class action lawsuit filed yesterday in Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Corporal Clayton Alford was put in the position of having his name signed to speed camera citations that he did not review. The suit seeks to nullify every photo ticket the town and for-profit vendor Optotraffic issued since the program began in 2010. That could cost the town significant cash as the cameras brought in $1.9 million in revenue last year — thirty percent of Riverdale Park’s budget.
Monday, August 06, 2012
California: Judge Blocks Public from Voting on Red Light Cameras
A California Superior Court judge has sided with photo enforcement vendor American Traffic Solutions (ATS) in denying Murrieta voters a say in whether red light cameras can be used in their community. Judge Daniel A. Ottolia issued a minute order Friday endorsing the arguments put forth by the high-powered elections law firm of Bell, McAndrews and Hiltachk LLP. ATS will not admit it hired the the Bell to sue Murrieta resident Diana Serafin.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Maryland: Speed Cameras Spraypainted
Vigilantes in Catonsville, Maryland spraypainted and kicked a speed camera last week Sunday. This is the second time the automated ticketing machine located near South Rolling Road and Brook Road has come under assault, having been set on fire right after it was first installed in April. The camera housing was empty at the time, according to the Baltimore Sun. Another camera in the nearby community of Arbutus was spraypainted on Monday.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Right to Insult Meter Maids
A former Michigan State University (MSU) law student last week beat the system after taking a case arising out of a parking ticket before the state’s highest court. Jared Rapp, arguing on his own behalf, convinced the justices that the ordinance used to convict him was unconstitutional.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Georgia Voters Reject $18 Billion Transportation Tax
Voters in Georgia sent a message to the transportation bureaucracy yesterday shooting down a plan that would raise taxes for the purpose of supporting the usual mix of projects. The “Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax” (T-SPLOST) was rejected by 61 percent statewide, despite a multi-million-dollar media blitz backed by public officials and special interest groups urging passage.
