Top Issues
Speed Limits
Red Light Cameras
Speed Cameras
Lane Courtesy
Speed Traps
All NMA Issues
Information
Fight Your Ticket
Traffic Attorneys
NMA Blog
Driving News
State Chapters
NMA Foundation
Membership
Members Area
Member Benefits
Join
Renew
Donate
Become An Activist

NMA Alerts & Email Newsletters

SPEED CAMERA Archives

January 20, 2012

NMA New York Alert: Put a Stop to Speed Cameras in NYC

It seems that 150 red-light cameras aren’t enough for New York City. So officials are pushing a bill to allow speed cameras into the city. Sponsored by Assembly member Deborah Glick, Assembly Bill 7737, is pitched as a “demonstration program” and would authorize the installation of 40 speed cameras throughout the five boroughs.

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee, chaired by Assemblyman David F. Gantt.

The NMA opposes photo traffic enforcement of any kind. Speed cameras have proven to be an unreliable and ineffective way to enforce speed limits. They put revenue generation ahead of public safety, to the detriment of motorists. Properly established and posted speed limits coupled with fair enforcement promote compliance, not cameras. (Learn more about the NMA’s objections to speed cameras.)

We urge you to contact the committee members as well as your local Assembly member to let them know you oppose this bill. Traffic enforcement in New York City is already oppressive without the addition of speed cameras, which will have no positive impact on safety.

Posted by National Motorists Association 
October 25, 2011

NMA Illinois Alert: Chicago Speed Camera Bills on Fast Track

Chicago already holds the dubious distinction of being “America’s Red-Light Camera Capital.” Not one to rest on his laurels, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is now pushing the state legislature to authorize the use of speed cameras in specified areas.
 
Two similar bills are quickly working their way through the Illinois House (HB3851) and Senate (SB0965). The House version would allow governmental agencies in cities with populations over one million to “establish automated speed enforcement (ASE) systems in designated safety zones.” The bill further defines a safety zone as:
 
 …an area that is within one-fourth of a mile from the nearest property line of any facility, area, or land owned by a park district, school district, community college district, or public or private college or university that is used for recreational or educational purposes; provided that if any portion a roadway is within that radius, the safety zone also shall include the roadway extended to the furthest portion of the next furthest intersection
 
Based on that definition is there any place in Chicago that isn’t in a “safety zone?” According to a Chicago Sun Times article, enforcement would include both red-light cameras and mobile cameras hidden in vans. Ensnared motorists would face a $100 fine.
 
Republican lawmakers have criticized the Senate bill as too broad and less about safety and more about generating revenues. (Read more.)
 
We agree. The National Motorists Association categorically opposes speed cameras and other automated traffic enforcement systems. Speed cameras are not reliable, do not improve safety and thwart due-process protections. (Learn more about the NMA's arguments against speed cameras here.)
 
The Senate bill has already moved to the full Senate for consideration while the House bill is still in committee These bills are moving fast. We urge you to contact your legislators to state your opposition and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Posted by National Motorists Association 
April 21, 2011

NMA New York Alert: Proposed Speed Cameras a Bad Idea for NY

As you are probably well aware, New York has been using red-light cameras since the nineties. But now there is a push to use speed cameras as well.

New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan is "aggressively pushing for state authorization for speed cameras," according to a recent NorthJersey.com article. The bicycling advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (http://www.transalt.org) is trying to drum up support among community boards.

The National Motorists Association is strongly opposed to speed cameras; you can read the many arguments against them here.

Part of the problem with speed cameras is that ticket defendants' rights, such as the presumption of innocence, the right to confront one's accuser, and the right to a proper foundation for all evidence, are lost in automated enforcement cases. All this despite the fact that there are no clear safety benefits to speed cameras.

The real goal of speed cameras is to siphon off cash from motorists -- and in the case of New York, possibly to appease bicycle enthusiasts.

We encourage New Yorkers to contact Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and express your disapproval of her speed camera plans. We will inform you if any such plans make it to the New York Congress.

Posted by National Motorists Association 


About The NMA

The premise of the National Motorists Association is that if motorists will join together in one organization to represent their rights and interests as drivers, they will no longer be ignored and exploited by federal, state and local governments. Please consider joining today!

Join Today!

Filter By Post Type/Location

Search This Section


NMA Blog

The National Motorists Association Blog has hundreds of articles on a wide range of motorist-related topics.

Read The NMA Blog

Motorist News

News from around the country that is of interest to motorists.

Visit The Motorists News Section

Driving Freedoms Magazine

Driving Freedoms is the NMA's informative quarterly magazine published on the subjects of traffic laws, motorist issues, and your rights as a driver.

Browse Past Magazine Issues

NMA Store

NMA Store

Speedtrap.org

SpeedTrap Exchange

Join National Motorists Association
Short Yellow Light Project

Short Yellow Project

Roadblock Registry

Roadblock Registry

© National Motorists Association