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, October 5, 2011
Albuquerque, New Mexico Voters Reject Red Light Cameras
Voters in Albuquerque, New Mexico turned out in large numbers Tuesday to vote down the use of automated ticketing machines. Nearly 40,000 ballots were cast on an advisory question that City Councilor Dan Lewis placed before voters. No photo ticketing program has ever survived such a vote.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
California: Appeals Court Approves Cell Phone Search During Traffic Stop
The California Court of Appeal recently approved a police officer’s rifling through the cell phone belonging to someone who had just been pulled over for a traffic violation.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Texas City Works with Traffic Camera Company to Nullify Anti-Camera Vote
A red light camera company and officials in the city of Baytown, Texas are conspiring to nullify the results of an election. In November, 58 percent of voters approved a ballot measure prohibiting the use of red light cameras unless a police officer is present to witness any alleged offense. American Traffic Solutions (ATS) filed suit in February to overturn the result of this vote, and city officials on September 22 asked Harris County Judge Michael D. Miller to sign off on a settlement of this suit that was prepared by ATS.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Belgium, UK: Speed Cameras Scorched, Swiped
Three speed cameras were set on fire in Belgium and England with another grabbed in Bedfordshire, UK.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Ohio Appeals Court Strikes Down GPS Vehicle Spying
Although the US Supreme Court is expected to settle the issue of GPS tracking of motorists soon, a three-judge panel of the Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District ruled 2-1 earlier this month against the warrantless use of the technology. The majority’s decision was likely designed to influence the deliberations of the higher courts.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Washington: City Goes All Out to Defend Dangerous Camera Program
The city of Redmond, Washington decided last week that it had no intention of putting the issue of red light cameras and speed cameras to a vote of the people. The mayor refuses to transmit the completed petition signatures for an initiative on the topic to the county auditor, despite a state law that sets a three-day deadline for the city administration to do so. On Tuesday, Redmond police released data that show accidents have increased since at the photo enforced locations since the program started in February.
