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, October 02, 2013
Missouri Appeals Court Questions Whether Red-Light Cameras Are A Revenue Grab
The Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that it is keeping an open mind on the question of whether red-light cameras are an illegal cash grab, sending the issue back to be settled in a courtroom trial. The decision also gave automated ticketing opponents the power to compel documents regarding the photo enforcement program from American Traffic Solutions (ATS), which operates the devices on behalf of Creve Coeur.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Florida: Police Sergeant Fired Over Bogus DUI Arrest
Police in Tampa, Florida on Friday fired Sergeant Ray Fernandez over his role in a bogus arrest of a prominent lawyer for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Tampa officers arrested C. Philip Campbell Jr on January 23, just two weeks into the high-profile defamation trial between prominent radio show hosts Bubba the Love Sponge and Todd MJ Schnitt. Campbell represented Schnitt, and rival attorney Adam Filthaut represented Bubba the Love Sponge.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Canada: City Arrests Speed Camera Protester
Another city is looking to discourage members of the public from speaking out against photo enforcement by throwing a protester in jail. The city of Winnipeg, Canada on Tuesday arrested Shane Yaworski, a member of the group Wise Up Winnipeg who regularly shows up at locations where mobile photo radar vehicles are parked to warn fellow motorists with yellow signs that read, “$low down, photo enforcement ahead.” This significantly cuts down the number of citations that are issued at the location.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Italy, UK: Speed Cameras Burned And Sprayed
Vigilantes in Manchester, England destroyed one of the area’s most notorious speed cameras at around 1:30am on Monday. The Manchester Evening News reported that paper and rags were used to fuel the fire that destroyed the Oldham Road camera in Ashton.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Speed Camera Fines Challenged Worldwide
In Parma, Italy, the group Nuovi Consumatori insists the city never obtained the proper authorization for its speed cameras and that 40,000 tickets worth 9 million euros (US $12 million) issued between January 16 and July 31 of this year should be refunded. The group has asked the public prosecutor to charge Mayor Federico Pizzarotti with seven counts of fraud and to confiscate the cameras, according to Blitz Quotidiano. This is no idle threat, as a number of officials have been arrested in Italy over speed camera fraud since 2006.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Red-Light Camera Case Goes To Illinois Supreme Court
The Illinois Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to hear a case challenging the legality of Chicago’s red-light cameras, giving new life to a three-year-old lawsuit dismissed by lower courts. Several motorists filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of red-light cameras back in 2010, but the Cook County Circuit Court dismissed the case in 2011. The dismissal was unanimously upheld by the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court in January.
