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, June 18, 2014
Another California Jury Indicts Red-Light Cameras
The Yuba County, California grand jury on Tuesday issued a report blasting the red-light camera program in Marysville. The citizens chosen to investigate the program analyzed every claim made by city officials, taking nothing for granted. The report documents a number of ways in which the city and its vendor, Redflex Traffic Systems, have been stretching the truth.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Ohio Justices Skeptical Of Toledo Red-Light Camera Program
Justices seemed unconvinced as lawyers for Toledo and Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia made a pitch last week to preserve their business during oral arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court. Redflex mails $8 million per year worth of photo tickets, so Toledo’s city attorney told the high court that there would be “untold consequences” if the appeals process set up to streamline adjudication of them were ruled unconstitutional.
Monday, June 16, 2014
US House Approves Ban On Federal Traffic Camera Funding
The US House of Representatives voted 255 to 172 last Tuesday in favor of a ban on federal funding of red-light cameras, speed cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPR or ANPR). Representative John Fleming (R-Louisiana) proposed the measure as an amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill which has yet to be taken up by the Senate.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Australia, Italy: Speed Cameras Burned, Bashed
In Sydney, Australia vigilantes burned a speed camera on Monday. According to the Sydney Daily Telegraph, the automated ticketing machine on McEvoy Street in Waterloo was doused in gasoline and necklaced with a tire to keep the blaze fueled. The device has issued $991,888 worth of tickets since December 2010.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down Unauthorized Red-Light Cameras
Florida towns jumped the gun when they listened to red-light camera companies like American Traffic Solutions (ATS) and installed photo enforcement devices without the sanction of the state legislature. That was the conclusion Thursday of the state Supreme Court which ruled 5 to 2 in a consolidated case that could force cities to pay millions in refunds.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
DC: Federal Judge Approves Spying On Taxis
Spying on taxi drivers and their passengers is fine with a federal judge. In a memorandum opinion last week, the US District Court for the District of Columbia rejected a lawsuit that claimed the use of “smart” metering systems violated the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
