Each Wednesday, we’ll publish quick summaries of the articles from the last week on TheNewspaper.com. We’re doing this because these articles are often strongly connected to the issues that National Motorists Association members are interested in.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Redflex Reports Drop in US Traffic Camera Revenue
Opponents of red light cameras and speed cameras have had an impact on the bottom line of one of the world’s largest photo enforcement providers. Redflex Traffic Systems reported a “slowdown in the level of new contracts signed” that dragged the firm’s US traffic camera revenue down $2.4 million in the 2011 financial year.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
California Legislature Considers Limiting DUI Roadblock Use
Confiscating automobiles has become a significant source of revenue for cash-strapped California cities. Recently, the state legislature gave preliminary approval to legislation to impose limits on the practice.
Monday, August 22, 2011
California to Hike Cell Phone Driving Fine
The California legislature last week sent legislation to Governor Jerry Brown (D) designed to boost the number of citations issued for for driving while talking with a cell phone in hand. The measure also increases the maximum possible fine to $528.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Iowa, Canada, Germany, Poland: Traffic Cameras Damaged
Speed cameras were burned, egged, smashed and crashed into in Iowa, Canada, Germany and Poland.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tampa, Florida Incentive to Increase Automobile Insurance Rates
The city council in Tampa, Florida this month began deciding how it would spend revenue from the red light camera program expected to go online next month. Officials calculated that the automated ticketing machines would bring in an extra $2 million a year, an important amount for a city facing a $34.5 million budget deficit. Officers in the Tampa police department personally profit from any ticketing system linked to an increase in automobile insurance rates. This is so because the state imposes a tax on car insurance that is deposited as a “state contribution” in each municipality’s police pension fund.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Washington Judge Issues $10,000 Ticket Against Red Light Camera Firm
A Whatcom County, Washington Superior Court Judge yesterday threw the book at a photo enforcement firm for interfering with the right of the public to petition their government. Judge Ira Uhrig handed down from the bench a stinging rebuke to American Traffic Solutions (ATS). Uhrig found the firm’s lawsuit to block an anti-traffic camera initiative from reaching the ballot in Bellingham violated state law, so he slapped the Arizona-based firm with a $10,000 fine and ordered it to pay the legal fees of the initiative’s sponsors.
