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, July 18, 2012
Texas Town Fights Back Against Red Light Cameras
More than a thousand residents of Cleveland, Texas are now on record opposing the use of red light cameras in their community. Tri-County Texas Tea Party co-founder Aubrey Vaughan on Monday presented petitions to the city secretary that, if verified, will put the future of automated ticketing on the city’s November 6 ballot.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Congressional Budget Office Examines Toll Road Bank
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Thursday released a report on the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal to create a national infrastructure bank. The bank idea has grown increasingly popular among transportation officials and politicians because it allows them to raise more money from motorists to fund transportation projects.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Massachusetts Supreme Court Upholds Diversion of Toll Road Revenue
Money raised from tolls on one road can be diverted to fund projects on unrelated, untolled bridges, roads and tunnels, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday. In 1997, the state legislature tapped drivers on the Massachusetts Turnpike for revenue to pay for the “Big Dig,” a massive tunnel project in Boston with legendary cost overruns that brought the initial $2.8 billion estimate to a final pricetag of $22 billion.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, UK: Speed Cameras Destroyed, Damaged
A speed camera was set on fire in West Yorkshire, England last weekend. According to the Spenborough Guardian, a burning tire was used to destroy the device on Halifax Road in the hamlet of Hartshead Moor Top.
Friday, July 13, 2012
California: Newport Beach to Vote on Red Light Camera Ban
Voters in another major California community will have the opportunity to ban the use of red light cameras in November. The Newport Beach City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to give residents the choice of prohibiting future city councils from using photo enforcement of any kind on city streets. The measure will be part of a package of amendments to the city charter voters will consider on the upcoming ballot.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Florida: Early Red Light Camera Program Failed to Reduce Accidents
One of the first Florida towns to rush into the use of red light cameras has seen an increase, not a decrease, in the number of accidents since the devices were installed. According to an analysis released Monday by a retired Florida Highway Patrol lieutenant, Gulf Breeze had no particular problem with collisions at its intersections when it decided to ignore a ruling by the attorney general and install automated ticketing machines in March 2006.
