Anybody know what they've ruled on traffic cameras?

Question

I was under the impression that they deemed the "red light" and "speeding" cameras, unconstitutional. Yet a friend just received a ticket. Has anyone else heard about this. Especially in Ohio?

for all you naysayers, remember this is an issue decided at the state. With your help, this is what i've been able to find.

Legislature Passes Traffic Camera Bill, Veto Uncertain
Both the Ohio House and Senate have passed HB 56, the red light camera bill. The bill outlaws speed cameras unless an officer is present, or unless it is located in a school zone. The bill also requires the police prove the identity of the driver, without resort to the camera pictures. Governor Taft is undecided as to whether to veto. New Law Puts City's Traffic Cameras in Jeopardy by Joseph L. Wagner, The Plain Dealer, Dec 13, 2006. See our prior post: Latest Incarnation of Red Light Camera Bill.

Answer 1

I can only answer for Maryland and DC, but I would assume that most jurisdictions are about the same. The tickets received are generally for fines only and are applied against the registered owner of the vehicle. There are no points assesssed against the driving record of the owner. Fighting the ticket is generally useless unless you can prove that the vehicle was stolen before the ticketing event. Otherwise, if you want to claim that you were not driving, you must hand up the person who was driving including name, address lic #, and that person will have to pay the fine.

Yes they are money makers but consider yourself (or your friend) lucky that they did not get a "live" ticket that would have cost points. He/she is also lucky that they did not cause an accident while breaking the law.

Answer 2

There is no constitutional question here. A camera that catches you doing something illegal is fully admissible in court, with one caveat: the camera itself cannot be trespassing or otherwise breaking the law. For the most part, traffic cameras capture images of a public space--from a public space.

That said, the Ohio Legislature has placed some limits on traffic citation cameras. You can read more at:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/14/1484.asp

Answer 3

Got a "red light" ticket in the mail. Thing is we were making a right turn, and no signs were posted saying no turn on red. This was in Chicago. I've not heard anything about them being unconstitutional. I'll have to look that up . . .

Answer 4

Traffic cameras at intersections:
Just another legal, money-making racket for a private company, all of the "life-saving" propaganda spewed forth notwithstanding.

Answer 5

Don't you just love spray paint?

Answer 6

No they are not....They are legal as a cop seeing you in person.