Measure To Let Voters Decide Fate Of Traffic Speed Cameras Dies In Committee

A measure that would leave it up to voters to decide if the state should allow traffic enforcement cameras died in the House Transportation Committee on a 14 to 1 vote. Author of the bill, Covington Representative Paul Hollis, says he conducted a poll on support for traffic cameras and only 11% of those surveyed were in favor of keeping red light and speed cameras.

“The reason I think a lot of people are against traffic cameras is because they see them for what they are, they’re not about safety, they’re about one thing, they’re about money.”

New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says using traffic cameras as a way to enforce red lights and speeding violations is part of the evolution of technology. He also says that putting this up for a vote prohibits local governments from making their own decisions.

“That’s a local right that the local governments have but with your bill, you take that right from them.”

Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says there should be no fear of traffic cameras because drivers should follow the law and not run red lights. She says eliminating traffic enforcement cameras promotes bad behavior.

“And eventually get killed as a case of that and I would regret that they didn’t have something that would remind them, you’ve got to follow the law all the time, not just when cops are around.”