On October 19, 2009, we emailed you about an organized effort spearheaded by NMA member Helwig F. Van Der Grinten to get insurance giant USAA to reverse that company's public support of red-light cameras.  The drive to gather petition signatures continues in earnest, and because this is a nationwide campaign.

A press release that was issued to several thousand media outlets across the country in early December highlighting the campaign against the USAA.  The PR provides information about how to add your signature to the petition.  If you oppose the use of the revenue-generating red-light cameras, which not only do not improve traffic safety, but in many cases actually increase accident rates, and are a member of USAA, please consider signing the petition. 

Below is a copy of the December press release which provides petition details.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Van directly. 

Military Members Revolt Against Insurance Giant's Support of Red-Light Cameras
 
The Houston, TX Coalition Against Red-Light Cameras is proud to announce an online petition targeting the United Services Automobile Association’s support for red light cameras.

 The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is an insurance and financial services conglomerate serving the U.S. military community and their families.

 The petition illustrates the USAA military community’s objection to USAA’s support for ticket camera schemes which are well known to have a negative impact on traffic safety but are nonetheless deployed to raise revenue.

 Numerous studies have documented that traffic accidents and accident-related injuries, often increase at intersections after ticket cameras have been installed.  The USAA support of red-light cameras ignores these studies to march in lockstep with the auto insurance lobby which benefits from the increased number of citations issued by red-light cameras.

 Details of the HCARLC petition, and comments by petition signers, can be found at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/1109USAA/petition.html.  Studies that document the negative effect of red-light cameras on traffic safety have been compiled by the National Motorists Association, and can be found at http://www.motorists.org/photoenforce/home/studies/.

 For more information about this organized action against the USAA, go to http://www.houstoncoalition.net/usaa_action.

 The founder of the Houston Coalition Against Red Light Cameras (as they are presently utilized) is H.F. Van Der Grinten, who also is currently a USAA member.  
 
Media Contact:
HoustonCoalition.net Founder:
Mr. H. F. Van Der Grinten
USAA Member
Phone:   281-265-7408
Mobil:   832-567-6521
Email:  CaptainVan@aol.com
Website: www.houstoncoalition.net
Home page: www.captain-van.com

On October 19th, we sent an email alert to you about the grassroots effort being organized by Helwig F. Van Der Grinten (Van) in Houston against the USAA's open endorsement of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) support of red-light camera programs.  Van has made excellent progress, and he has set up an online petition where you can join him in the goal of getting enough signatures and donations to present the petition at USAA's annual members meeting next year, and make the organization's directors take notice.

Below is an update from Van on November 12, 2009, with a link provided for USAA members to sign the petition.  In addition, here is a link to an online petition for ALL DRIVERS opposed to the use of photo enforcement techniques across the country:  http://www.petitiononline.com/nophoto/petition.html.

This is your opportunity to play an instrumental part in opposing red-light cameras.

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Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:59:14 EST
Subject: USAA red light camera petition

USAA, the giant insurance company with membership consisting largely of active and retired military personnel, endorses the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) support of red-light camera programs.  The USAA annual member meeting is being held at 9:00 am, Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, TX, Saturday Nov. 21, 2009.  If you are a member of USAA, and would like to voice your opposition to ticket cameras, as well as the company's position on the matter, please contact longtime NMA member Helwig F. Van Der Grinten ("Van"), the founder of the Houston Coalition Against Red Light Cameras (as they are presently utilized).

 Van is currently gathering signatures on a petition against the USAA position, and is asking that USAA members who are opposed to ticket cameras, and/or who are able to attend the annual members' meeting in San Antonio, also contact him.  Van may be reached at:

 website:                 www.houstoncoalition.net
email:                     HTxCARLC@aol.com
home phone:           281-265-7408
cell phone:              832-567-6521 (if no answer at home)

 The language of the petition, to be submitted to USAA's directors, is:

 An unhealthy relationship has developed between the auto insurance industry and revenue inspired law enforcement.  This has manifested itself in biased research on red light cameras by the USAA supported Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  We call upon USAA to employ a certified traffic engineer to advise our USAA directors on implementing corrective action based on sound engineering and scientific methods to temper the staunch support of red light cameras by IIHS.
 
Photo enforcement programs continue to produce significant income for both local government and the camera companies, all at the expense of motorists without improving traffic safety.  The NMA encourages you to take a stand against red-light cameras.