AZ - Initiative seeks to outlaw photo radar in state

[StlouisX50]

Initiative seeks to outlaw photo radar in state

Comments 43 | Recommend 4 Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services

Arizona voters may get a chance to do what lawmakers have not: outlaw photo radar and similar systems to catch speeders.
A new initiative launched by two business owners would bar the state or local governments from issuing citations based on evidence obtained from photo enforcement cameras like the ones already operated by many cities and the system being deployed statewide by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The proposal contains an exception for motorists clocked traveling more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit.
"It's one of those public safety types of issues," said Dane Platt, one of the initiative organizers. "If you're going 20 miles an hour over the speed limit, you probably are endangering the public safety."
And the initiative, if it makes the 2010 ballot and is approved by voters, would not affect "red light cameras" which photograph motorists who do not stop at intersections.
Platt said it's not personal, saying he has never received a photo radar speeding ticket. The Chandler resident said, though, that he and his business partner, William Carey of Mesa, took notice when DPS started erecting photo enforcement cameras on U.S. 60.
"We didn't think it was serving the purpose of making streets safer," he said. "We figured it was just a revenue source for the state."
The pair need to collect 153,365 valid signatures by July 1, 2010, to put the measure before voters that year.
Platt acknowledged that effort may require money, whether to hire paid circulators or just to publicize the issue. But he said that won't be a problem.
"I know a whole lot of people who are interested as well," he said. "So I'm sure we can get the volunteers and the contributions we need to get it done."
The statewide photo enforcement system was pushed into law earlier this year by Gov. Janet Napolitano. She acknowledged it was designed in a way to generate maximum revenue by convincing people not to fight the $165 tickets: Offenders accumulate no points against their license. And the citations are not reported to insurance companies who can use that information to raise premiums or deny coverage.

[Zapple]

Where do I sign?

[StlouisX50]

I'd sign it if i could too!

[YTCD]

I might donate some money for their cause.

This is the reason I love this goverment.

[gpracer1]

I signed up with camerafraud.com who is pretty much the reason behind it.
I wish I would have known of the rally they held if front of RTS photo headquarters the other day.
I totally would have been there holding a sign.

[Digital Dude]

As an Arizona resident, I will sign and donate. I drove 24-years without a ticket and yet, last year I got nailed when I passed through the infamous 101-loop area of Snottsdale, AZ. Since then, I’ve been paranoid anytime I drive in the Phoenix area. I was able to attend traffic school and preempt the insurance issue, since they were reporting.

Ironically, all of the cameras that were supporting Scottsdale are now gone! I’m not sure if the state won some sort of turf-war and they will go back up once the battle is over. I guess it doesn’t matter who’s getting the money; we’ll still be at risk.

In fact, it was the latest camera initiative that brought me to this forum so I could decide what countermeasures would work for me. As a rule, I don’t really speed although a simple mind-fart can now get you hammered by the onslaught of cameras. Actually, this has turned out to be mixed blessing since I find this forum both educational and fun.

As a relatively low-cost solution for at least the stationary cameras, I purchased a NavAlert so I’ll see how that works when I head out next week from my Yuma location.
Regards,

[djrams80]

I drove to Phoenix and back last weekend. Holy Crap! That place is out of control! My 9500ci probably notified me of 40-50 cameras in the short time I was there.

[StlouisX50]

Thats redicilious!