2008 Woodie Awards
Ohio court allows traffic cameras
Sarah Foster and Kellyn Moran
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Community
The Ohio Supreme Court announced in a decision Jan. 31 the use of red-light cameras in cities across the state is legal.
The cameras, which are installed in intersections in cities across the state, have been criticized for multiple reasons, including the inability to decipher who is driving a car when it runs a red light, the difference in regulations among municipalities, and the use of cameras solely to increase city revenues.
One local community impacted by the decision is Middletown, which has eight red-light cameras in place, according to Valerie Griffin, the city's traffic engineer. The cameras have been in place since May 2005.
She said initially the cameras were met with criticism from residents, but now many have adjusted to them and see their benefits.
"We heard a lot of complaints at first, but once (the community) discovered how the cameras operate, usually most people are really supportive," Griffin said.
Maj. Mark Hoffman of the Middletown Police Department said that only a minority of people complain about the cameras.
He said some critics worry about invasion of privacy, thinking that the cameras actually take a driver's picture. However, the cameras just get the car's information, such as a license plate number.
Warner Mendenhall, attorney for the plaintiff in the court case, said he had multiple reasons for bringing a case against the city of Akron after his wife received a traffic ticket from one of the lights. Among them, he said the ticketing has turned a criminal offense into a civil offense.
"It appeared to me-and the courts now told me I'm wrong-that the state legislature said the only way to enforce traffic laws is through the criminal code," Mendenhall said. "And the other thing they say in the law, in the traffic code, is that they want the same laws to apply throughout the state of Ohio. That's why we have a uniform traffic ticket. That's why our traffic signs are the same everywhere you go."
The cameras, which are installed in intersections in cities across the state, have been criticized for multiple reasons, including the inability to decipher who is driving a car when it runs a red light, the difference in regulations among municipalities, and the use of cameras solely to increase city revenues.
One local community impacted by the decision is Middletown, which has eight red-light cameras in place, according to Valerie Griffin, the city's traffic engineer. The cameras have been in place since May 2005.
She said initially the cameras were met with criticism from residents, but now many have adjusted to them and see their benefits.
"We heard a lot of complaints at first, but once (the community) discovered how the cameras operate, usually most people are really supportive," Griffin said.
Maj. Mark Hoffman of the Middletown Police Department said that only a minority of people complain about the cameras.
He said some critics worry about invasion of privacy, thinking that the cameras actually take a driver's picture. However, the cameras just get the car's information, such as a license plate number.
Warner Mendenhall, attorney for the plaintiff in the court case, said he had multiple reasons for bringing a case against the city of Akron after his wife received a traffic ticket from one of the lights. Among them, he said the ticketing has turned a criminal offense into a civil offense.
"It appeared to me-and the courts now told me I'm wrong-that the state legislature said the only way to enforce traffic laws is through the criminal code," Mendenhall said. "And the other thing they say in the law, in the traffic code, is that they want the same laws to apply throughout the state of Ohio. That's why we have a uniform traffic ticket. That's why our traffic signs are the same everywhere you go."
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