Mohammed Bass of Coralville thinks it would be a good idea to bring red light cameras into the Iowa City area. "I wouldn't like people running red lights causing some accidents," Bass said. Iowa CityMore >> The Iowa City city council is moving forward with an ordinance to allow red light traffic cameras.More >> A hot rod issue in Dubuque brought people out to protest Tuesday night at a public input meeting for the city budget.More >> A new study from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group cites cities that outsource traffic surveillance cameras to outside companies. According to the study one out of every five Americans lives in a community paying a for-profit company to install & operate traffic cameras. As many as 700 cities across the U.S. outsource their street and highway camera systems and about half of states have authorized use of traffic cameras.More >>
DES MOINES (KWWL) -
A House panel has voted to ban the use of automated cameras to enforce traffic laws.
The House Transportation Committee approved the measure on Thursday in a 15-6 vote, sending it to the full House for debate.
Backers of the ban say public sentiment is overwhelmingly against using the cameras, which most frequently monitor those who run red light and exceed the speed limit. They say enforcement needs to include the discretion that human police officers can provide.
Some legislators wanted to allow the cameras, but instead limit the amount that drivers would be forced to pay in fines. That effort was defeated.
Opponents of the ban say cameras make the roads safer and that should be the top priority for lawmakers. They also free up limited law enforcement resources for other needs.
Several Iowa Cities are already using automated cameras including Cedar Rapids. Waterloo, Dubuque and Iowa City have considered using the cameras. Dubuque has decided to wait on making a decision until the Iowa legislature finishes debating the issue.
