After years of trying, two of the most odious laws regarding motor vehicle operation designed primarily as revenue grabs appear to be on the verge of amelioration, although if legislators have real fortitude to follow through they would neuter these completely.
SB 99 by Republican state Sen. Stewart Cathey provides further deterrent to the use of traffic enforcement cameras, following up on changes last year. Those alterations, in providing increased due process protections, also increased expenses to local governments making use of these less attractive. The bill would increase the deterrent by subjecting officials of the jurisdictions using these to malfeasance charges, which Cathey thought would improve matters as he perceived many of the provisions recently enacted were being ignored – which has validity, if a recent incident of an egregious violation of the law in West Baton Rouge Parish is any indicator.
Speed cameras still would be legal, however, and more loophole closings could be employed that both make revenue generation for its own sake more difficult and allow for greater due process. The bill could be amended to mandate requirements of (1) taking pictures both of license plates and faces (2) that must be clearly recognizable after review by a police officer verified by a city or district judge (3) from a camera proven calibrated accurately taking only vehicle and people photos only during posted times (4) subject to criminal, not civil, proceedings in order to get a conviction.
But Cathey has another way to skin this cat. His SB 158 would force all revenues generated by speed cameras to be remitted to the state and then apportioned to sheriffs for youth programs, ensuring that these revenues go to a truly public safety purpose. If this Communities Aligned To Help Educate Youth (note the acronym) Fund comes into effect, it’s doubtful any jurisdiction would continue operating such cameras, exposing the existing hypocrisy behind these for “public safety.” Regardless of the seriousness of the attempt, diversion of money from anything but public safety and costs of enforcement is unacceptable and a sign that greed really prevails.
Then there’s Republican state Rep. Larry Bagley’s HB 221 and HB 232, which represent the next iteration in his years-long attempt to wipe out the inspection requirement at least for passenger vehicles domiciled in all parishes not in violation of federal clean air requirements. This time, it looks as if this will happen, but with an unappealing tradeoff: the state not only will continue to assess the $10 per year charge, but also it will collect all of it.
Most states don’t have such a requirement and almost all policy-makers and even many of those who do the inspections, vehicle-related businesses such as gas stations and tow truck operators, dislike performing these. But state government liked the revenues the removal of which led to past resistance, so Bagley tacked the fee onto the biannual registration fee. This cuts out the inspectors who received $4.75 and instead has the state pocket it.
Thus, drivers still would pay the same but at least they don’t have to waste everybody’s time and effort with the useless mandate. If it’s any relief, the extra take by the state will be dedicated to “traffic enforcement’” with the $5.25 remining also going to operations and training related to regulations and their enforcement of motor vehicle use.
At least these measures represent progress, even if they wouldn’t eliminate completely traffic enforcement cameras nor would save citizens money. Something is better than nothing.
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