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 03, 2012
Study Attributes Road Fatality Rise to Economic Growth
A white paper released last week examines the recent uptick in highway death statistics and attempts to answer the question of what is to blame for the negative trend. Michael Sivak, a research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, examined the various explanations commonly offered and concluded economic factors appear to be the most important.
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
New Jersey Governor Reverses Course on Red Light Cameras
The days may be numbered for red light camera programs in New Jersey. Governor Chris Christie (R) announced his support for legislation that would curb the program while taking questions from callers on New Jersey 101.5 radio’s “Ask the Governor” show on Thursday. “The fact is, we need to make some changes to the program, and those changes can only be made legislatively,” Christie said.
Monday, October 01, 2012
California Governor Signs Bill Saving Red Light Camera Industry
Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed legislation Friday rescuing California’s red light camera companies from several pending legal challenges. The state Supreme Court has been poised to rule on whether defendants have the constitutional right at trial to confront the individuals responsible for generating the photographic evidence produced by automated ticketing machines. As recently as September 17, the state’s second-highest court was ready to take up a similar question.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Australia, Italy, Latvia, Poland: Speed Cameras Shot, Sprayed, Smashed
A speed camera failed to protect itself from an accident in Perth, Australia at 4:35am on Saturday. The black photo radar minivan was hiding on the side of Mt. Cotton Road in Sheldon when another vehicle slammed into it, the Courier Mail reported.
Friday, September 28, 2012
US, UK Highway Accidents on the Rise
Accidents are becoming more frequent on highways in the United States and the UK. The US Department of Transportation this week released the early estimate for traffic fatalities during the first half of 2012. These preliminary numbers show the country will likely end the year having ended a six-year streak of declining fatality rates.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
California Court of Appeal Takes Red Light Camera Case
The second highest court in California announced last week it would take up the issue of red light cameras once again. The topic has been hotly contested among the justices on the Court of Appeal with decisions handed down in favor of the use of cameras, and opposing them. In January, the Second Appellate District struck down photo ticket evidence as hearsay only to have another panel from the same district come to the opposite conclusion a month later.
