Red light cameras in Ohio

Cameras shall only be used in school zones, and only if a local LEO is present.

Hopefully this bill passes, I am considering moving to Ohio. Reasonable legislation makes a place a better place to live.

I actually agree with most red light cameras when used appropriately, but it sounds like this will have no effect on our little suburb since we only have them in school zones right now and the LEO has to be present to switch it on and off before school, during recess, and after school. They are also working on (or have just finished) some way that he can actually trigger it in the field to not generate a ticket.

Right now, if he sees that a crossing guard is waving someone through (for example if they are holding up a bus, which needs the space to make the turn), the cop has to write down the license plate number/description/date/time to make sure it gets flagged for deletion. They're trying to move to a digital, real time system.

To be honest, just having the cameras up and a cop sitting there has generally cut down on speeding and other traffic violations that can potentially harm kids. They originally were going to have the cop park his car at the median, just behind the turn lane, and keep his lights on for visibility (so people know there's a cop there) but they decided against it for the same reason our fire dept requires us to turn off our lights and sirens when going through a school zone--it's too likely that younger children will ignore crossing guards and run out to watch the pretty lights!

But, yes, there has to be ways of preventing abuse, but I think our community is a prime example of how it can be a valuable tool when used correctly.

Doubt if it will ever pass. Big cities like Cleveland and Columbus need the revenue. And that is what it is all about.

I drive thru downtown Cleveland on a weekly basis, and Columbus once a month. My Garmin subscription chirps all the time it seems.

then it is a revenue issue usually. The fees needed by the private contractor are not being met by the number of tickets generated.

of behavior changes, unless they make changes in the house's favor

I hope they pass the ban, without the exception, but even with it, I think it will most likely be an improvement. Here is some info on what the Ohio house passed:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/41/4138.asp

Also in Ohio, the Supreme court is considering a lawsuit on the cameras:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/42/4210.asp

I'm not holding my breath that either of these will get rid of the cameras, but you never know....