Traffic cameras are a scam - and unconstitutional

Kudos go out to the Hamilton County judge who found a small village in contempt for violating his previous order against using cameras to catch speeders.  It’s nice to see a judge call traffic enforcement cameras what they are – a scam.

Of course, the usual list of municipalities and police departments are crying about how the cameras lead to less traffic accidents and increase safety, but here’s a news flash – no one buys that load of bull.

Traffic cameras have always been about one thing – raising money and fleecing the public.  Cities and police departments that are strapped financially found a cash cow in camera manufactures who provide the cameras free of charge in return for a cut of the profits.

Despite rulings by the Ohio Supreme Court, reasonable, rationale people who aren’t lawyers looking for a loophole know that traffic cameras are unfair and unconstitutional.  Owners of vehicles can be ticketed even if they aren’t driving the vehicle.  Drivers have no ability to confront their accuser and no way to challenge that the camera is working properly.

And drivers who get caught by traffic cameras are treated differently – as a civil matter and with no points on their driving record – than the poor sap who gets a ticket a block away at the hands of a real police officer.  Isn’t equal protection under the law a constitutional right?  Apparently not when it comes to traffic cameras in Ohio.

I’ve gotten a speeding ticket from a camera in a local municipality.  I sent it back to them with a note saying there was no way in hell I was going to pay it – and I meant it.

Thankfully, the Ohio legislature has gotten the message loud and clear.  The House passed a bill this week banning the cameras, and the Senate will likely pass the measure after the summer recess.

Then we can wait for the next scam that government tries to pull in the name of safety when the real reason is revenue.