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 25, 2014
Illinois Appeals Court Backs Chicago Parking Meter Lease
Taxpayers upset by rising parking meter rates in Chicago, Illinois failed Friday in their bid to overturn the 2008 deal that leased the city’s parking meters to Chicago Parking Meters (CPM), a company run by Morgan Stanley, until the year 2083. The state Appellate Court held that the Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization made a good case that the deal was bad for the public, but that it is not the court’s job to overturn questionable policy decisions.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
California City Has Second Thoughts About Red-Light Cameras
Red-light cameras are disappearing rapidly from California streets as city councils around the state are disappointed with the performance of the devices and disturbed by admissions of bribery and other corruption. The city of Del Mar could be the next city to say farewell to automated ticketing machines. The latest city budget shows the program is losing money, with the drop in revenue attributed to “the change in standards for enforcement.”
Monday, June 23, 2014
Federal Court: Cops Cannot Push Drug Dog Into Open Car Door
Utah state troopers who used a drug dog as a pretense to search a car belonging to an innocent woman are in legal trouble. The US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Friday ruled that the victims could sue the troopers for spending two hours rifling through their vehicle without finding anything unlawful, in violation of their constitutional rights.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
France, UK: Speed Cameras Spraypainted, Scorched
Vigilantes in Warwickshire, England destroyed a speed camera on Monday. Nuneaton News reports that a burning tire was used to set fire to the automated ticketing machine on the A5 in Nuneaton.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Riverside, California Prepares To Dump Red-Light Cameras
Officials in Riverside, California have lost faith in red-light cameras after eight years of use. On Tuesday, Councilman Chris MacArthur moved to have staff draft a proposal that cancel the city’s contract with Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia and bring down all fourteen cameras — to applause in the council chambers. The motion passed six to one.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
France Goes After Anti-Speed Camera Facebook Posts
Prosecutors in Rodez, France have charged nine motorists for the alleged crime of posting the locations of speed traps on Facebook. The accused, ordered to court on September 9, are leaders of “The group that tells you where the police are in Aveyron,” which has 8951 members.
