Another California City Joins Red Light Camera Revolt

by The Newspaper

Published: August 29th, 2011

another california city joins red light camera revolt

A fourth city in Orange County, California is poised to outlaw the use of red light cameras. Earlier this month the Laguna Niguel city council voted 4-1 on first reading of a measure that would prohibit the use of automated ticketing machines in the future — the city has never allowed camera vendors to operate on its streets.

Linda Lindholm and Robert Ming introduced the measure citing the “mixed reviews” the cameras have received with studies showing red light cameras increase accidents ( view studies).

“From time to time, the Laguna Niguel city council has considered the pros and cons of automated red light enforcement systems and has declined to support their installation in the city,” City Manager Tim Casey wrote in an August 16 memo to the council. “The proposed ordinance would be consistent with the past policy decisions of the city council.”

The ordinance is modeled on the one crafted last month in the city of Orange by a councilman who also is a licensed traffic engineer. Last year in Anaheim, 73 percent of voters approved a referendum prohibiting automated ticketing machines. Westminster has scheduled a similar referendum vote for November 2012.

“The city of Laguna Niguel does ordain as follows,” the proposed ordinance states. “Red light automated traffic enforcement systems primary accomplishment has been to increase revenues, not traffic safety. The city council finds that the installation of red light automated traffic enforcement systems do not serve a significant public purpose and specifically not the stated public purpose… Automated traffic enforcement systems as that term is used in California Vehicle Code Section 25145.5 shall not be installed on any city street or highway that is within the jurisdiction of the city.”

An ordinance passed by one city council cannot bind the actions of a future council, but it creates a barrier requiring several public hearings and repeal votes before cameras could be installed. The final vote on the ordinance will come at a September 20 meeting of the city council.

[Courtesy: Thenewspaper.com]

#Crime&Punishment #Government #Law #PhotoEnforcement #RedLightCameras #Traffic

The Newspaper

More by The Newspaper

Comments

Join the conversation

Recent Comments

MaintenanceCosts Poorly packaged, oddly proportioned small CUV with an unrefined hybrid powertrain and a luxury-market price? Who wouldn't want it?
MaintenanceCosts Who knows whether it rides or handles acceptably or whether it chews up a set of tires in 5000 miles, but we definitely know it has a "mature stance."Sounds like JUST the kind of previous owner you'd want…
28-Cars-Later Nissan will be very fortunate to not be in the Japanese equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization over the next 36 months, "getting rolling" is a luxury (also, I see what you did there).
MaintenanceCosts RAM! RAM! RAM! ...... the child in the crosswalk that you can't see over the hood of this factory-lifted beast.
3-On-The-Tree Yes all the Older Land Cruiser’s and samurai’s have gone up here as well. I’ve taken both vehicle ps on some pretty rough roads exploring old mine shafts etc. I bought mine right before I deployed back in 08 and got it for $4000 and also bought another that is non running for parts, got a complete engine, drive train. The mice love it unfortunately.