Photo Radar Uproar - The Public Shall Be Heard

As photo radar violations are pouring in, a bill hasAs photo radar violations are pouring in, a bill has
been in process in the Arizona House ofbeen in process in the Arizona House of
Representatives that would eliminate photoRepresentatives that would eliminate photo
enforcement.  On Friday, the Transportation andenforcement. On Friday, the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee passed the bill by a 5-3Infrastructure Committee passed the bill by a 5-3
margin. The bill, however, still has a long way tomargin. The bill, however, still has a long way to
go in the legislative process. If it is passed, it isgo in the legislative process. If it is passed, it is
unclear whether Gov. Jan Brewer would sign theunclear whether Gov. Jan Brewer would sign the
bill into law.bill into law.
Inside the bill are a few changes, such as, threeInside the bill are a few changes, such as, three
signs would be required before every camera. signs would be required before every camera.
The flash on every camera would also be takenThe flash on every camera would also be taken
off as it is very distracting for a driver at night. off as it is very distracting for a driver at night.
The proposed legislation would also setThe proposed legislation would also set
requirements for where the camera systemsrequirements for where the camera systems
could be placed. The photo radar systems couldcould be placed. The photo radar systems could
not be located after an overpass and before thenot be located after an overpass and before the
first speed limit sign, within 600 feet of afirst speed limit sign, within 600 feet of a
reduction in the speed limit and in a location wherereduction in the speed limit and in a location where
the speed limit has changed in the last 60 days. the speed limit has changed in the last 60 days.
As Alaska tried to implement the photo radarAs Alaska tried to implement the photo radar
vans, the public voiced there opinion as residentsvans, the public voiced there opinion as residents
hurled water balloons at the vans. Some drivershurled water balloons at the vans. Some drivers
parked or stood behind the SUVs, blocking theirparked or stood behind the SUVs, blocking their
ability to issue tickets. When confronted aboutability to issue tickets. When confronted about
why they had parked behind the vans, the driverswhy they had parked behind the vans, the drivers
claimed that they had "car trouble." One vigilanteclaimed that they had "car trouble." One vigilante
yanked the camera lens from the back of theyanked the camera lens from the back of the
SUV, damaging the equipment, another lunged atSUV, damaging the equipment, another lunged at
a driver. As several states and counties continuea driver. As several states and counties continue
to sign photo radar contracts our rights areto sign photo radar contracts our rights are
becoming less and less visible.becoming less and less visible.
Aside from the inability of those photographed toAside from the inability of those photographed to
confront their accuser, the system violates aconfront their accuser, the system violates a
state law which requires that anyone other than astate law which requires that anyone other than a
law enforcement officer who gathers evidencelaw enforcement officer who gathers evidence
for use in court must be a licensed privatefor use in court must be a licensed private
investigator. Redflex employees have no suchinvestigator. Redflex employees have no such
licenses.   With photo radar, the photo of thelicenses. With photo radar, the photo of the car
car and the calculation of speed from theand the calculation of speed from the equipment
equipment is the only evidence and that meansis the only evidence and that means the driver's
the driver's presumption of innocence is gone.presumption of innocence is gone.
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