The Anaheim City Council is considering a permanent ban on red-light cameras -- one that would be approved by voters and become part of the city charter. The Mayor there is concerned what's touted as "public safety" is really more about raising money and that the powers of the cameras could be expanded into other areas, such as using a cell phone while driving, etc.
San Juan Capistrano Mayor Lon Uso - who opposes the cameras in town along with Councilman Tom Hribar -- has made similar issues. Uso's point is that the number of accidents in town was always really low, so the statistical decrease touted by camera supporters is minute. Additionally, Uso argues, the number of tickets at each intersection monitored by the cameras has remained the same, so the opportunity for accidents has not decreased at all.
In Anaheim, from the OC Register:
The City Council on Tuesday evening is set to consider whether to place a measure on the November ballot that would amend the city's Charter to permanently prohibit automated traffic-enforcement systems.
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, whose term ends this year, introduced the item in April saying he fears that future city leaders might be tempted to install red-light cameras to bolster city revenues.
Anaheim has resisted such technology but nearby cities such as Santa Ana and Garden Grove embrace it.
"It's very discouraging when government thinks its sole purpose is ... to use public safety as a revenue-raising tool," Pringle said at the time.
Supporters of red-light cameras say they are an effective tool for getting motorists to drive more safely and that they provide more "eyes" in addition to those of traffic officers.
Pringle also said he worries that cameras could be used to cite motorists committing other violations such as speeding or talking on cell phones.
Comments