http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Dec11/121211/121311-04.shtml

Pennsylvania bill would protect use of ticket cameras

By Keith Goble, Land Line state legislative editor

A last ditch effort is underway at the Pennsylvania statehouse to protect the use of red-light cameras. OOIDA has issued a Call to Action http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2011/PA/Action_Alerts/121311.shtml to Pennsylvania members about the issue.

Currently, the city of Philadelphia is authorized to use the revenue generator. The revenue from the program is split between the city and the state for use in other communities.

However, the program in Philadelphia is scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Advocates of the ticket cameras are trying to make sure they are not taken down.

The House Transportation Committee voted to advance a bill to the House floor that would extend the program’s expiration date to Dec. 31, 2016. If approved, it would move to the Senate for further consideration.

Another effort in the House would not only protect the ticket program, it would expand the program. The bill – SB595 – would extend the expiration date to Dec. 31, 2017, and also authorize Pittsburgh, Scranton and 17 third-class cities with populations of at least 18,000 people to post red-light cameras for the next six years.

Affected communities must also have full-time police forces.

Violations would result in up to $100 fines. No points would be added to offenders’ driver’s licenses and auto insurance companies would not be notified.

Advocates for the cameras like to say it is a safety issue. They also point to a Transportation Advisory Committee and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation study recommending the cameras’ continued use, as well as expansion.

Opponents, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, dispute any claim that the primary focus of the cameras is to keep people safe. OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said it is obvious that Pennsylvania’s use of the enforcement tool is primarily focused on filling coffers instead of simply trying to keep people safe.

The Association’s Call to Action notes that “elected officials are expected to protect their constituents from efforts that do not prevent most intersection accidents and erode due-process protections.”

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