Red Light Camera News Clive, IA might take down RLC if "reform" bill is passed that reduces fines to $50.00.
Ban the CAMS note: The Iowa bill is a FLUFF bill, it does NOT reform the scam. It is just used to give the illusion of "doing something". But it does show in this one case that Clive is doing this for CASH, NOT SAFETY!
Otherwise they WOULDN'T Care about loss revenue!
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-traffic-camera-worth-033011,0,4650878.story
CLIVE CAMERAS: A bill in the state house could force Clive to take down its red light cameras
The bill would cap fines for red light cameras to $50
Nearly a dozen cameras keep an eye on drivers in Clive, but a bill moving through the statehouse could turn the source of revenue into a financial drain.
Right now a driver caught on camera faces a $100 fine; however, a bill approved today in the house would cut that to $50, and prevent the cameras from paying for themselves.
Blow through one of four intersections in Clive, and you're looking at a whopping $196 fine. An exorbitant sum of money some lawmakers say is going right into the pockets of some very greedy cities.
"One city had a very good Christmas let's put it that way. When people came to town to do their Christmas shopping the red light activity went up considerably," says Republican Rep. Ralph Watts of Adel.
The city of Davenport issued 40,000 red light fines last year for a $1.6 million profit. The city of Clive makes about $20,000 a month. However, Clive's city manager says the tickets aren't about the money.
"To get attention the ticket has to be a certain amount above to get their attention. There's going to be revenue that comes with it," says Dennis Henderson.
Henderson says since the red light cameras went up in the busiest intersections in Clive, the number of accidents has reduced from 89 in 2005 to 50 in 2006. Henderson says the proposed bill's $50 cap on fines won't be enough to get drivers to slow down.
(Ban the Cams note: P.S. I still love the "less" wrecks claim, I heard that one before from Arnold, MO. Of course Arnold neglected to mention that they changed the distance of what "counted" from 133 ft to 50ft http://arnold.patch.com/articles/hay-arnolds-red-light-cameras-violate-state-law. Chicago pulled a similar stunt too! http://www.banthecams.org/20100609248/Professor-Shah-s-RLC-claims-of-‘Safety”-is-just-lip-service-they-just-want-revenue.html Quote:
"CDOT defines the intersection 25-50 feet from the traffic signal, while IDOT will use measurements of 150-300 feet from the middle of the signal.")
"It's still a public safety related program and to make it a public safety related program you have to have a fine that is a sufficient amount to get individual's attention so they will obey the law."
However, just eight of 98 house lawmakers agree with Henderson. Rep. Tyler Olson's hometown of Cedar Rapids also has red light cameras. He says the amount of the fine should be up to the city.
"I always tell people if you don't like the fine then don't speed and don't run the red light," says Democrat Rep. Olson.
Clive's city manager says dropping the fine from $100, or $196 with court and administration fees to $50 with no fees may force them to turn off the cameras for good.
"If the max fine is dropped to $50 then there's no way to run the program and not go into the hole and cost tax payers money for the program."
The revenue the city of Clive makes on the red light cameras goes to staff overnight firefighters. The city also bought another ambulance and hired an additional police officer. The city manager says if they lose that money they may have to raise taxes.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Articles Menu
Find Info
Latest Comments
Member Login
