No More Camera Cops?

Don’t look at it as an assault on “home-rule”. Look at it as an assault on “Big Brother”. HB 56 is speeding its way to Governor Taft’s desk. By prohibiting cities from identifying the drivers of speeding and red-light running cars via photograph, the bill effectively ends programs in cities that establish unmanned cameras to catch traffic “felons”. This is about the only issue that I have agreed with Republicans on in recent memory. And it hurts. But hey, these camera cops have gotta go. They have not been shown to reduce traffic accidents; and actually may increase accidents as foolish drivers slam on the brakes to avoid a ticket. And if you get ticket in the mail- just sign the affidavit saying that you were not driving (O.K. perjury IS a problem for some of us) and presto-chango, no fine. So Governor Taft, send us a parting gift and don’t veto this legislation. I really hate these lazy cop cash machines. Oh, and to the City of Columbus, why don’t you fix that traffic hazard of an intersection at Nationwide and Fourth Street rather than installing a camera cop right by the Convention Center. I am no travel and tourism expert, but that does not seem like a friendly “goodbye” out of town.