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, September 05, 2012
Tennessee: Improper to Arrest Someone for Passing DUI Test
A Tennessee motorist who passed six roadside sobriety tests should not have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), the state Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Friday. The three-judge panel rejected the attempt by prosecutors to overturn a trial court’s finding that David D. Bell should not have been taken into custody on January 12, 2010 after he displayed “excellent” mental acuity after being pulled over by a county sheriff’s deputy.
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
UK Labour Party Denies War on Motorists
A thinktank closely allied with the British Labour Party issued a report last month denying the existence of a war on motorists. Politicians, particularly those on the left, have been increasing taxes and fees on drivers so that the extra money could be spent on public transportation and other non-motoring priorities. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argues these increased costs are justified.
Monday, September 03, 2012
California, Tennessee: More Cities Terminate Traffic Cameras
Photo enforcement programs are being dropped at an increasing rate. On Tuesday, city leaders in Corona, California and Red Bank, Tennessee will vote to send their automated ticketing machine vendors packing. Just two years ago, American Traffic Solutions (ATS) won a major contract extension in Red Bank as the city rushed to avoid the possibility that the state legislature could impose limitations on automated ticketing.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Italy: Group Holds Speed Camera for Ransom
A group known as Comitato No Velox (No Speed Camera Committee) has issued demands for the release of the speed camera it abducted on August 16 in Novara, Italy. Infomotori reports that police received a ransom note made from letters cut out of a newspaper saying, “RETURN THE MONEY.”
Friday, August 31, 2012
California: City Conceals Red Light Camera Problems
Cities that allow a private vendor to run a red light camera program often are reluctant to divulge any news that could cast doubt on the system’s legitimacy or accuracy. Along these lines, Riverside, California has not been transparent regarding problems with the automated ticketing machines that have issued 161,199 citations, now worth nearly $500 each, since 2006. City documents obtained under the freedom of information laws reveal at least one intersection taking advantage of inadequate yellow signal timing and that cameras are silently being disabled by vigilantes.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
New Mexico: Study Finds No Clear Red Light Camera Benefit
New Mexico State University (NMSU) researchers have updated their analysis of the effectiveness of red light cameras in Las Cruces. Despite their best efforts, the results of the interim study presented to the city council Monday failed to find any clear and convincing evidence that the red light camera program that began in March 2009 has had a beneficial impact on safety.
