Please vote against House Bill 69, which would ban the use of red-light cameras and speed cameras in Ohio. Such devices could be effective tools for improving public safety. Arguments in favor of House Bill 69 boil down to the fact that people do not want to be told that they drive recklessly, and that cameras are more effective than police officers at identifying recklessness.
Some of those who spoke against traffic cameras at the Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security committee on June 25th mentioned Elmwood Place, a village of 2,100 that used cameras to identify 20,000 speeders on one block during a two-week period last year. This shows me that the use of speed cameras is effective, not abusive. Most drivers are not aware of how carelessly they drive.
If you feel that Elmwood Place or other municipalities violate due process in the way that they use traffic cameras, then please draft legislation to establish guidelines to help law enforcement officials comply with due process. This would be a much better alternative than an outright ban. As to privacy; streets and roads are public property. It is unreasonable to expect privacy on public thoroughfares. Violation of traffic laws is public, not private.
We could reduce traffic injuries by installing more traffic cameras. It would help drivers to be aware of their recklessness and drive more carefully. This would also allow police officers to spend more of their time preventing assaults, robberies and burglaries.
When the time comes for you to vote on House Bill 69, I ask that you consider the safety of all Ohioans and not listen to those who want to drive however they want.
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