COLUMBUS, Ohio – Red-light cameras in Columbus and other Ohio cities could become a thing of the past.
The Ohio Senate is expected to follow the lead of the House, which yesterday passed a bill banning cameras used to enforce red lights and speed limits.
Supporters of the bill call the cameras an unconstitutional money grab, but opponents say they promote safety on the roads.
“Photo-monitoring devices are overreaching their intended purpose and should be removed. The costs far outweigh the benefit to the community,” said Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) who co-sponsored the bill with Dale Mallory (D-Cincinnati).
Columbus has installed 38 red-light cameras, which have reportedly reduced accidents and brought in more than $2 million in fines in 2012.
The bill prohibits municipalities, counties, townships and the state highway patrol from ticketing drivers for violations of traffic light or speed limits “determined through the use of picture or video.”
Maag and Mallory argue that, while studies show mixed results on their benefits, there is data to show that rear-end accidents increase at locations with red-light cameras.
The unmanned cameras were seen by critics as an infringement of due-process rights and a way for local governments to fill budgetary gaps with increased revenue.
An amendment was added to the bill that allows speed cameras in school zones if a police officer is present.
Red-light cameras were banned in Cincinnati and rejected by voters in Heath, Ashtabula, Chillicothe, Garfield Heights and South Euclid.
Earlier this year, a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge found that the speed cameras in Elmwood Place are unconstitutional.