Skip to main content

Survey finds speed, red light cameras divide Americans

A new survey from free legal information website FindLaw.com found that 52 per cent of Americans support the use of radar speed cameras, while 48 per cent oppose them. Advocates say the cameras increase safety, but opponents contend they are often little more than revenue grabs by communities seeking to fill their local coffers. Interestingly, there is a split between men and women on the issue – a majority of women support the use of speed cameras while a majority of men oppose it. Ohio recently adopted a
March 12, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A new survey from free legal information %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal website Visit Findlaw website false http://www.findlaw.com/ false false%> found that 52 per cent of Americans support the use of radar speed cameras, while 48 per cent oppose them.
 
Advocates say the cameras increase safety, but opponents contend they are often little more than revenue grabs by communities seeking to fill their local coffers.  Interestingly, there is a split between men and women on the issue – a majority of women support the use of speed cameras while a majority of men oppose it.
 
Ohio recently adopted a law requiring the presence of a law enforcement officer when a speeding ticket is issued, effectively banning automated speed cameras. Nationwide, however, the 7120 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says the number of communities using radar speed cameras increased from 115 in 2011 to 137 in 2014.
 
This is in contrast to the use of cameras that enforce red light violations at intersections. The use of such cameras is decreasing, and FindLaw found that Americans oppose the use of red light cameras by 56 to 44 per cent.
 
"The landscape of jurisdictions using automated cameras for traffic citations is changing constantly, due to decisions by courts, voters, legislators and city halls," said Stephanie Rahlfs, attorney-editor at %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal FindLaw.com Visit Findlaw website false http://www.findlaw.com/ false false%>. "If you drive across the country, you might encounter a red light camera in one city, a speed camera in another city, and neither in other cities. It's always advisable for motorists to be aware of the applicable traffic laws wherever they travel."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Intercomp launches LS-WiM system for fleet operators
    April 17, 2019
    Intercomp has launched a low-speed Weigh in Motion (LS-WiM) system which it says allows fleet managers to collect the weight of vehicles without hampering traffic flow. The system is suitable for high-volume entry and exit gates and, unlike full-length truck scales, does not require incoming and outgoing traffic to stop every time a vehicle needs to be weighed, the company adds. According to Intercomp, the system’s small footprint allows it to be installed at most facilities at approximately half
  • Traffic Technology targets driver distraction with SpeedWatch+
    March 19, 2018
    UK company Traffic Technology’s popular non-confrontational community speed watch device, SpeedWatch, is now able to target drivers’ distracted or dangerous driving behaviour, such as mobile phone use or failure of occupants to fasten seatbelts. The SpeedWatch+ interactive display wirelessly interfaces to the manned SpeedWatch radar system, while a tablet device enables trained members of the public to select appropriate messages which are sent to the display to warn violating motorists. A large aesthetic
  • Innovative cycle management system encourages cycle use
    February 28, 2014
    BMS Bicycle Management System is the new way of cycle parking designed to provide a solution to many city councils to get their city centres neat and clean and encourage bicycle use. The system incorporates a mobile app that enables a cyclist to easily find a free bike parking place at their destination on a smartphone.
  • EPA/Polis workshop – a standardised approach for on-street parking
    June 30, 2014
    Polis and the European Parking Association have arranged a joint workshop in Lisbon on the final day of the Iberian Parking Congress, 19 September, focused on standardised solutions for on-street parking, including technologies to support parking management. The workshop will provide attendees with information: New planning and tendering approaches to integrate parking management better in urban transport policy; and technologies for on-street parking management and enforcement (sensors, ANPR, integrat