TN - Speed cameras catch police chief's interest

NASHVILLE - Key state legislators say Chattanooga's recent success in using cameras to ticket speeding motorists could justify similar programs in other cities - perhaps including Knoxville.

The chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation Committees said they would support legislation blocking local governments from using cameras to catch speeders on interstate highways while allowing state law enforcement officers to do so.

The comments of Rep. Phillip Pinion, D-Union City, and Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, came after a legislative hearing today on using automated cameras to enforce traffic laws.

Knoxville Police Chief Sterling P. Owen IV was among those appearing before the committee. He said latest statistics show Knoxville's current program for using cameras to catch motorists running red lights has significantly reduced accidents this year.

Owen said that "if the citizens of Knoxville want it," he would support expanding the Knoxville program to include speeding as well as red light violations.

Read the complete story Wednesday online and in the News Sentinel.

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