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, February 8, 2012
Illinois Governor Signs Chicago Speed Camera Law
Against overwhelmingly negative public feedback, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D) signed Senate Bill 965, the Chicago speed camera bill, into law. The measure allows the Windy City to utilize its vast red light camera network to issue speeding tickets by mail at 79 intersections with 1/8 mile of a school or park, effective July 1.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Virginia Issues $238 Million in Traffic Tickets
State and local police issued $238 million worth of traffic tickets in 2010, according to report released in September by the state auditor. The investigation used court data to calculate the total amount of fines and costs for motor vehicle violations amounted to $238,314,876. Citations issued under the state code generated $95,602,163 and local government ordinances accounted for $142,712,713.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Leading Advocate for Motorists Moves On
This is TheNewspaper.com’s story about Jim Baxter stepping down as president of the National Motorists Association and turning the reigns over to new NMA President Gary Biller.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
France, Germany: Speed Cameras Burned
Speed cameras were set on fire in Toulouse, France and Wiehl, Germany.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Photo Enforcement Salesman Focuses on Revenue Generation
Companies that operate red light and speed cameras are always looking for receptive city councilmen willing to sign up for automated ticketing services. The general public rarely has the opportunity to review the pitch these firms make behind closed doors, as it is often contrary to the message they present to the general public. This turned out to be the case after a salesman at an upstart photo enforcement provider B and W Sensors decided to email a member of the Arnold, Missouri city council.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Congressional Budget Office: Toll Roads Are Not Free Money
Toll roads are all the rage with politicians across the country. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers see “public-private partnerships” as the solution to their transportation funding difficulties by turning to the private sector to pay for infrastructure improvements through tolling. A report released last month by the non-partisan government analysts at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the purported benefits of this financing mechanism were mostly illusory, as taxpayers end up paying roughly the same amount either way.
