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.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
North Carolina Appeals Court Allows HOAs To Arrest For DUI
Rental cops hired by homeowners associations (HOA) can conduct traffic stops that would be unconstitutional if performed by an actual police officer, according to a ruling handed down last week by the North Carolina Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel took up the case of Frederick Lloyd Weaver Jr, who was stopped on April 20, 2012 by an armed security guard employed by Metro Special Police and Security Services. The HOA for the Carleton Place townhomes near the University of North Carolina at Wilmington contracted with Metro for security services.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Pennsylvania: Innocent Cab Drivers Sue Over ICE Sting
A trio of innocent cab drivers are suing the federal government after they were detained for several hours in a Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sting operation even though they were US citizens who had done absolutely nothing wrong. The Third Circuit US Court of Appeals on Thursday agreed to give the drivers an opportunity to restate their claim.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Ohio, France: Speed Cameras Burned, Decorated
Vigilantes set fire to a mobile speed camera in Cleveland, Ohio on December 2. According to WJW-TV, gasoline was poured over the unit stationed at East 85th Street and Hough Avenue. The resulting blaze damaged the unit. Cleveland’s cameras have generated more than $3 million in tickets.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Texas County Commissioners Vote For Illegal Speed Cameras
Five years ago, the Texas state legislature cracked down on the cities of Rhome and Marble Falls when they allowed a for-profit company to issue speed camera tickets without the authority of the legislature. Before the programs could get off the ground, lawmakers acted and Governor Rick Perry (R) signed a law banning photo radar in the state. On Tuesday, Denton County Commissioners voted 3 to 1 to move forward on a speed camera program regardless of the law.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Federal Judge Backs Cell Phone Search In Traffic Stop
Drivers pulled over for minor traffic violations can have their cell phone searched, according to a recent federal ruling. A judge decided last week that Oklahoma City, Oklahoma police were in the right when they downloaded information off the mobile phone belonging to Noe Vergara Wuences who was pulled over on March 22, 2012 because the temporary paper license plate on his new car flapped a bit in the wind.
