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, March 21, 2012
US Senate Leads on Transportation Bill
By a 74-22 vote, the US Senate last Wednesday passed a massive $109 billion bill reauthorizing federal transportation programs for eighteen months. Passage gives a significant advantage to supporters of mass transit and offers mixed results for those seeking to convert freeways into toll roads.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Texas Town Ignores Anti-Red Light Camera Petition
The city council in Port Lavaca, Texas voted unanimously last week to ignore the certified request from its residents to hold a public vote on whether the red light camera program should continue. After meeting behind closed doors, the council made the decision to side with Redflex Traffic Systems, the Australian company that operates the cameras. Redflex filed suit on March 4 to block the election, although the company disguised its involvement in papers filed with the Calhoun County court.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Connecticut Advances RFID License Plate Legislation
A lobbyist for the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry has convinced Connecticut legislators to consider implanting spy chips on the state’s license plates. Last Wednesday, the state Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to pass a bill asking the Department of Motor Vehicles to create a report on the implementation of RFID for motor vehicle registration by January 1.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Germany, Saudi Arabia Deal With Destroyed Cameras
Germans turned speed cameras into birdhouses, Saudi Arabia turned photo radar vans into tanks.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Missouri: Judge Backs Red Light Camera Program
Missouri’s courts are split on the question of whether red light cameras violate the state’s constitution and laws. Just last month, a circuit judge in the city of St. Louis ruled a camera program invalid because automated ticketing machines have not been sanctioned by the legislature. On Monday, a circuit judge in St. Louis County came to the opposite conclusion.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Glendale, California Dumps Red Light Cameras
An increasing number of California cities are giving up on photo enforcement out of a frustration with legal challenges and disappointing revenue totals. The city of Glendale announced Tuesday that it had dropped its red light camera program after four years of operation. The city told Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia to stop issuing tickets on February 24.
