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, September 14, 2011
National Coalition for Safer Roads Run by American Traffic Solutions
Last month, a group calling itself the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) obtained a great deal of exposure for red light cameras through the “National Stop on Red Week” publicity campaign. Several police departments around the country participated, with most news reports treating the issue as a public service announcement. Documents show the group coordinating this effort, NCSR, is controlled exclusively by the photo ticketing firm American Traffic Solutions (ATS).
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Iowa: Dashcam Video Undermines Police Testimony
Police testimony in drunk driving cases needs to match events recorded on the dashboard-mounted camera. A drunk driving conviction failed in Iowa recently when officer testimony did not match the dashcam video.
Monday, September 12, 2011
New York: Federal Court Overturns Search on a Hunch
Police may not pull over a car simply because two passengers are riding in the back seat, according to a September 2 ruling of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. On December 30, 2009, a trio of New York Police Department officers had a hunch that a passing gold-colored Ford Crown Victoria with New Jersey license plates might secretly have been charging for rides.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK: Speed Cameras Torched, Destroyed
Speed cameras around the world torched, spray-painted and toppled in the past week.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Washington: Traffic Camera Company Runs Press Relations for Lynnwood
The distinction between employees for a private photo enforcement firm and taxpayer-funded public servants blurred in the city of Lynnwood, Washington. Emails between city officials and American Traffic Solutions (ATS) suggest a cozy relationship developed where both sides were willing to perform the duties of the other in terms of marketing and public relations.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Arizona: Federal Judge Overrules Legislature on Transit Subsidies
Arizona must subsidize those who ride on buses, vans and light rail, regardless of the desire of state lawmakers or voters to do otherwise. US District Court Judge David G. Campbell on Friday overturned a state law enacted in March last year to curtail excessive spending by slashing such subsidies.
