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Ohio Supreme Court strikes down restrictions requiring police officer at traffic cameras
The ruling was 5-2 in support of the city of Dayton’s challenge of provisions in a state law that took effect in 2015. The city said it improperly limited local control and undercut camera enforcement that makes cities safer by reducing red-light running and speeding. Dayton and other cities including Toledo and Springfield said the law’s restrictions made traffic cameras cost-prohibitive.
The court Wednesday ruled illegal requirements in the law that an officer be present when cameras were being used, that there must be a lengthy safety study and public information campaign before cameras are used, and that drivers could be only ticketed if they exceeded the posted limit by certain amounts, such as by 6 mph in a school zone.
A majority opinion written by Justice Patrick Fischer found those three restrictions “unconstitutionally (limit) the municipality’s home-rule authority without serving an overriding state interest.”
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
- Thomas Paine
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem."
I know of two towns down this way that will be frothing at the mouth to re-commission those robo speed cameras. One 'burg was sued and lost, and ordered to take down the cameras. They didn't comply and the judge sent sheriff's deputies out to physically SEIZE the cameras. That was fun to watch.
With this court decision, I am now again getting more serious about building a suppressed 5.56 rifle. Okay, I'd really LIKE to do that though.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
I rather like the way the Brits deal with these automated thieves...
Toss a tire over it, pour some gas on it, light it.
Learn how Project Appleseed is supporting freedom through Marksmanship and Heritage clinics.
Samuel Adams wrote:If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.
I could rant all day about traffic cameras. But, for me, it basically comes down to this: if the cameras are about "safety", then why are they simply sending a picture in the mail demanding money while making ZERO effort to actually stop "unsafe" drivers?
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Information posted in these forums is my personal opinion only. It is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal advice.
sodbuster95 wrote:I could rant all day about traffic cameras. But, for me, it basically comes down to this: if the cameras are about "safety", then why are they simply sending a picture in the mail demanding money while making ZERO effort to actually stop "unsafe" drivers?
Not only that, as I recall it has been shown that red light cameras cause an *increase* in rear-end crashes since people are more likely to stop short when the light begins changing.
Christian, Husband, Father
NRA Life Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol & Rifle Instructor
Hearing those names reminded me of another...Arlington Heights...which I think "owns" about a 1/4 mile stretch of Ronald Reagan/Cross County Hwy. I believe they were also in some traffic cam related court battle a few years back.
The cities claim home rule, but I see a lot of cameras, stationary or handheld on state and federal highways and interstates. Even most major city streets have some sort of state and federal funding. What's home rule about that?
Mike
The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.
If a city wants red light cameras then THEY must staff/operate them out of the police budget with LEOs. NO outsourcing. NO non-LEO. AND all funds stolen go to State general fund.
Learn how Project Appleseed is supporting freedom through Marksmanship and Heritage clinics.
Samuel Adams wrote:If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.
glocksmith wrote:Hearing those names reminded me of another...Arlington Heights...which I think "owns" about a 1/4 mile stretch of Ronald Reagan/Cross County Hwy. I believe they were also in some traffic cam related court battle a few years back.
Hamilton County Sheriffs now patrol there, Arlington Heights PD no longer exists. In part because the village wasn't sending the state's share of ticket revenues to Columbus. This would happen if the accused speeder stopped by Village Hall to pay in person with cash. That's probably the news story you remember.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
sodbuster95 wrote:I could rant all day about traffic cameras. But, for me, it basically comes down to this: if the cameras are about "safety", then why are they simply sending a picture in the mail demanding money while making ZERO effort to actually stop "unsafe" drivers?
Not only that, as I recall it has been shown that red light cameras cause an *increase* in rear-end crashes since people are more likely to stop short when the light begins changing.
I think people nowadays just expect you to run lights and stop signs. In the last three days, I've almost been hit four times in the rear when I have come to a full stop at stop signs in Indian Hill. While I'm shifting into first, I cringe as I hear the squeal behind me.
-- Mike
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
Ah yes. The long lost pleasure of driving for no real reason. Just fun. Driving through these locales during extremely busy times, such as 4-6pm fridays, stopping completely at stop signs, lights. Look around a bit enjoy the sights. Doing the speed limit. The minimum speed limit
Acquisitions thus far:
-Slingshot
-Butter knife
-Soda straw and peas
-Sharpened pencil
-Newspaper roll
--water balloon (*diversionary*)