Posted on 06/12/2013 5:27:13 AM PDT by MichCapCon
Michigan lawmakers have introduced bills that would legalize unmanned red light cameras in the state.
The bills, House Bill 4763 and 4762, were introduced May 22 by Reps. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, and Thomas Stallworth III, D-Detroit. The bills define running a red light that's caught on camera as a civil offense. That differs from a 2007 opinion from then-Attorney General Mike Cox, who said Michigan law recognizes red light running as a criminal violation, and the law was not authorized for photo ticketing.
On Tuesday, the House Transportation Committee heard testimony on the matter. A representative from a safety group supported by a company that sells red light cameras, American Traffic Solutions, spoke in favor of the bills. Five people spoke against the bills.
Jim Walker of the National Motorists Association, said his organization has a number of studies on its website showing red light cameras cause more harm than good. The bills are expected to reach the full House before summer recess.
The certain areas in State of Florida use the red light cameras. In fact, there is a class action lawsuit currently pending.
The communities see red light cameras as a revenue producer. However , 70% of revenue goes to the camera company; 30% to the community.
The integrity of the camera system depends on the timeing and calibration of the system.
In St Petersburg area , they found that the yellow light timeing was shortened by 1/2 second by the company , and thus the length of the time was shortened ,
and in violation of Florida Dept. of Transportation standardized guidelines for traffic lights.
Florida officials found an increase in the number of “rear-end collisions” caused by drivers not willing to risk going into intersections
when they thought they would be photographed, even though legally elligible to continue through the intersection .
Right now , many communities are now taking the cameras out of use since they are considered now as a traffic hazzard.
Everywhere that it is taken to a vote of the people, it loses. Everywhere.
Other states are removing them, but these guys are adding them? Heh...must be desperate.
It’s even worse. Most of the tickets generated by these cameras are not people “running red lights”. Rather, it is people taking a free right on a red, but failing to come to a complete stop “with rollback”. A person could inch forward for several feet and finally go when the traffic is clear and because they never came to a complete stop they will get a ticket in the mail.
In California, these tickets are over $400.
In Chicago, over 90% of the tickets written at some of the cameras are for these “rolling free rights”. And at one camera, 100% of them are for this. This move is not a traffic hazard.
Of all states to put them in. Do you really think the people in Detroit or Flint or going to pay these fines? They’re going to be replacing those cams all the time because they are going to be shooting targets for gang members.
The only reason those cams get installed is money under the table and donations to local politicians by the red light companies. I have a very detailed research doc that easily proves this.
I don’t see this passing anyway. I keep a running list of legislative actions in Michigan right here if anyone is interested..
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2967053/posts?page=52#52
The only reason those cams get installed is money under the table and donations to local politicians by the red light companies. I have a very detailed research doc that easily proves this.
I’m completely with you on this one.
The only reason those cams get installed is money under the table and donations to local politicians by the red light companies. I have a very detailed research doc that easily proves this.
I don’t see this passing anyway.
There would have to be corruption for this to pass.
No, wait!...
As an aside , since the camera doesn’t identify the driver , the car is charged with the violation of traffic lights.
Did you get that ? .. an inanimate object is charging another inanimate object with violation of traffic, and the alledged car is charged a fee ?
What happened to bringing forth the accuser into court ?
#1)You have the Constitutional right to confront witnesses !
Require the courts to take down the camera and bring it into court ( effort and time consuming).
#2)Make the company bring in the last person who calibrated the camera to verify its accuracy and timeing ( effort and time consuming).
#3) Subpoena the State DOT officials who can verify the timeing standards for traffic lights, and who can verify State DOT standards
#4) Testimony of State DOT whether or not the camera is in compliance with DOT timeing standards.
#5) Enter a plea to the court.
It is doubtful that the courts will endure the cost and effort such a challenge would provide ,
much less spend this time and money and inconvienience on each individual case before the court .
The basis of challengeing a ticket is based on your Constitutional Right to confront adverse witnesses .
The Court is counting on you not invokeing your constitutional rights and just paying a fine for an inanimate object (your car licenseplate).
Most people just ‘roll-over’ and end up paying the fine so as not to inconvience themselves , or the court .
My own opinion, after having lived in Michigan?
Within 18 months every one of these cameras will be out of order. Random bits of flying lead will be the cause.
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