Legislative News Louisiana: Should voters have say in red light cameras?
http://www.wwl.com/Should-voters-have-say-in-red-light-cameras-/9653081
Posted: Tuesday, 19 April 2011 7:01AM
Should voters have say in red light cameras?
Chris Miller Reporting
Cameras used to catch vehicles running red lights and speeding have been in use in New Orleans and other parts of the metro area for a number of years now, and the technology remains controversial. In cities like New Orleans, officials say the cameras are a proven means of getting drivers to slow down and stop for red lights. Even so, they catch enough violators that the fines can add up to millions of dollars. New Orleans leaders say the cameras resulted in $15 million worth of fines in 2010.
Some drivers, and some Louisiana lawmakers, say the money is all the cameras are about, and not public safety. State representative Jeff Arnold (D-Algiers) is sponsoring legislation in the upcoming session that would require a local voter option -- voters in a jurisdiction would get to decide if they want the cameras or not.
"All of these tickets that are being issued off the cameras a civil violations," said Arnold. He says that makes it much harder for a driver or vehicle owner to successfully argue against the citation in court.
"If you're going to take away the right of citizens to have the right of due process, I think you ought to at least ask them for that right, first," said Arnold.
Morning commuters in New Orleans told WWL First News Tuesday morning that they think the red light cameras are more about sending people fines than they are about public safety. So if they don't like them, would they like to see a state law against them, or wold they prefer to give voters a say?
"I certainly would support a public vote," said a biker as he stopped for gas. "Public referendums are very effective in my opinion."
"A vote would be better," said another driver who opposes red light and speeding cameras.
And a woman told us she fueled up her car, "if they did put it to a vote, I think the voters would do the smart thing and say 'no way' for the cameras."
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