Committee Approves Legislation Banning Interstate Traffic Cameras

Louisiana's House Transportation Committee today approved legislation that would prohibit using cameras to issue traffic tickets on state highways, unless the vehicle was traveling 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Democratic New Orleans Rep. Jeff Arnold said speed cameras are used not to improve traffic safety but to boost local government revenues.

"Do you want to know a dirty governmental secret?" Arnold questioned. "Traffic cameras put government revenue over our constituents' rights."

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden tried to make the argument that traffic cameras have helped reduce the number of crashes.

"We are not policing their wallets," Holden said. "But we have watched a decrease in the number of deaths and crashes."

Despite Holden's testimony, the transportation committee approved Arnold's bill with an 8-7 vote. It heads to the House floor for more debate.