Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, has filed legislation to repeal the
state law that allows automated red light cameras at intersections.
McSweeney says the red light cameras don’t improve safety, are simply a way for
municipalities to raise money and promote big government at the expense of
already overburdened taxpayers.
“Taxes are too high, and a lot of the municipalities — including Chicago — are
just trying to hit people with fees,” he said. “I think they (the cameras) are
unnecessary and all they lead to is big government because all they’re doing is
collecting additional revenue.”
McSweeney pointed out a Chicago Tribune series that documented alleged bribes,
unexplained spikes in ticketing and a $7.7 million windfall for the city from
77,000 questionable tickets.
The lawmaker says the evidence that red light cameras increase traffic safety is
questionable and, for the most part, they generate a tax by a different name.
“Red light cameras primarily serve as a revenue enhancement tool at great cost
to taxpayers,” McSweeney said.
State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, who served 20 years as a sheriff, said he has
problems with automated red light traffic cameras.
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“I’m not a fan of them,” he said. The process for fighting an
automated ticket is different than a traditional ticket and somewhat
deprives the driver of his or her day in court, he said.
Still, Bivins said, he’d need to take a look McSweeney’s bill,
because there are times when matters are better left in local
government hands than in the state’s.
Proponents of automated enforcement systems, such as the Governors
Highway Safety Association, say the systems are intended to
supplement and not replace traditional enforcement.
They also argue the greatest benefit from automated system is
deterrence.
The association, however, says cameras should not be used as a
revenue generator.
It warns against paying for systems based on the amount of revenue
generated and says any revenue derived should only go to highway
safety.
[This
article courtesy of
Watchdog.]
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