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Photo Radar News Archives
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Need information about camera locations? Have a question? Need legal information? You can find all that and more at our website. Start at the home page by CLICKING HERE! Get free forms, browse frequently asked questions, and learn about the best-selling photo radar book.Take your time looking through our news archives...
MYSTERIOUS INTRUDER TAKES DOWN PHOTORADARLAW.COM
"Someone" very unhappy with the legal information provided on this site took the site down on Friday afternoon, February 17, 2006. The staff at photoradarlaw.com spotted the problem immediately and worked with the webhost to get the site back up quickly. Information is power! Misinformation is weakness.
PHOTO RADAR COMPANIES WATCH STOCK VALUES FALL
As more states reject the use of photo enforcement, the makers of photo radar and red light cameras, including a company operating in Arizona, are watching their stock values take a major dive. Read the article HERE!
PHOTO RADAR TO TARGET PIMA ROAD
Scottsdale police will increase officer patrols and photo radar monitoring of Pima Road for the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend. Citing safety concerns, the highly travelled road will be closely watched for drivers exceeding the posted limit. Drive safely!
VIRGINIA, MARYLAND SAY NO TO TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Maryland's governor has vetoed a bill that would have allowed photo radar in that state, saying that there is no definitive proof that speed cameras improve safety. Citing Virginia's ban of traffic cameras, the governor concluded that the use of such devices is not increasing and that many states are waiting for studies which support the safety claims before moving forward. Read the governor's statement by CLICKING HERE.
TRAFFIC CAMERAS INCREASE FATALITIES
The fourth study to look at the safety of traffic cameras has reached the same conclusion as its earlier counterparts: traffic cameras increase accidents and fatalities. Intersections with cameras had a 2 percent increase in fatalities and injuries while intersections without cameras experienced a twelve percent DECREASE! Read articles about the studies: UK Study, Virginia Study, Australia Study, North Carolina Study.
STUDY TARGETS ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY TRAFFIC CAMERAS
The UK is studying whether traffic cameras make roads LESS safe. The concern is that "the use of speed cameras causes a migration of accidents to other locations." Officials want to know whether a location that experiences a high number of accidents would just naturally drop back to a normal level of accidents even if no cameras are in use. Since speed cameras and red light cameras are supposedly placed at high accident locations, the appearance that the cameras caused the reduction in accidents might be faulty. Read more about it at Thenewspaper.com
BRAKING NEWS!! BRAKING NEWS!!
Officials all too aware of the reality that photo radar causes people to slam on their brakes, thus increasing the potential for a crash and decreasing safety, have come up with a brilliant plan to avoid that nasty braking habit drivers have. HIDE THE CAMERAS! That is so brilliant! A simple thing like a hidden camera will solve all our safety problems. And you thought it was complicated. No more braking problems for Loop 101! Now that's braking news.
PHOTO RADAR BILL DOWN BY ONE VOTE
Scottsdale officials will move forward with plans to put photo radar on the Loop 101 freeway provided the governor approves. A bill that would have required legislative approval for such a move failed in the House on May 3, 2005. Scottsdale Representative Reagan believes the city is doing what Scottsdale residents want in installing the ticket-generating technology. Apparently so if no one has complained...............Author Susan Kayler discusses the issue with Michael Dixon on KTAR Radio 620 on May 5, 2005.
UK DRIVERS DEMAND END TO PHOTO RADAR ON FREEWAYS
Drivers in the UK opposed to the placement of speed cameras on freeways showed their disapproval by organizing a "slow-driving" protest. Intent on showing that safety is about more than speed, the drivers slowed down to less than 30 m.p.h. the day cameras were installed. The drivers used a 30 mile long caravan to bring attention to their demands for:
--the immediate suspension of all speed cameras on open motorways because we do not believe that they improve safety.
--an end to the greedy camera partnerships. The partnership structure is cash driven and works against genuine road safety.
--road safety policies that enhance, rather than destroy, the relationship between responsible members of the public and the Police.
--major political parties to make very clear their policies on speed cameras and road safety in the run up to the general election.
--a fair, impartial and statistically sound review of all speed camera operations giving proper consideration to side effects as well as main effects.
--an immediate end to the deliberate abuse of statistical data. For example, camera partnerships and others ignore regression to the mean effects to fraudulently claim benefit for their cameras.
--open and accurate public debate on the issues surrounding speed cameras. Our spokesperson will meet anyone - head to head - in any national media.
Scottsdale officials plan to follow the UK in placing speed cameras on Loop 101. Will Scottsdale drivers be as vocal?
PHOTO RADAR BILL DOWN BUT NOT OUT
A bill pending in the Arizona legislature that would prohibit cities from placing photo radar on state freeways without legislative approval is struggling to survive. The bill passed with a last-minute amendment which would allow Scottsdale only to use the technology provided they entered an agreement with the State before September 1, 2005. The bill went next to a conference committee which recommended that the House pass the bill as originally written (without the amendment.) On April 28, 2005, the House failed (by two votes) to get enough votes to pass the bill as originally written. Five House members did not vote. Representative Andy Biggs has requested that members reconsider that decision on May 3, 2005. Representative Biggs and others would like to see the original language reinstated. To learn more, visit the legislature's website by clicking HERE.
Read Kimberly Bagnal's feature article in the March issue of SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS by clicking HERE! Or...pick up a copy. Click HERE to find businesses who carry the Scottsdale Airpark News!
4/8/2005: PHOTO RADAR DEBATE SUPERHEATS!
The time to act is now if you want your state legislator to know how you feel about having photo radar on Loop 101. Thursday two Scottsdale legislators amended SB1164 which now must pass a final vote. If you liked SB1164 which FORMERLY said that photo radar was not permitted on Loop 101 without legislative approval, you will hate it now. One amendment allows Scottsdale and ONLY SCOTTSDALE to put the Big Brother technology where citizens don't want it. The other amendment is a compromise providing for more officers instead of machines. Contact your legislator or get ready to write a check...Tell them you want photo radar kept off Loop 101. Click here to read the Rosati amendment. Click here to read the Reagan amendment.
Federal Highway Administration Study Shows Traffic Cameras Cause Collisions
A report prepared for the Federal Highway Administration and recently released finds that traffic cameras increase collisions, particularly at intersections. The report numbered FHWA-HRT-05-048 was commissioned by the Federal government to determine the safety of the cameras. Visit the Department of Transportation website for more info at www.fhwa.dot.gov.
Photo Radar Bill Dies, Other Still Alive
A bill that would limit fines, require proof of the person driving and other great changes to make photo radar processing more palatable has died in the Senate's transportation committee. The legislature is expected to adjourn without any further committee meetings. Scottsdale Senator Carolyn Allen was not present at the meeting when HB2260 came up for a vote. Her favorable vote could have made the difference. SB1164, the bill that would prevent Scottsdale officials from putting photo radar on Loop 101 is full-steam ahead! Fingers are crossed that it will pass the full Senate and be sent to the Governor for her signature. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD ON THE ISSUE...or don't complain later!
Do Scottsdale citizens REALLY support photo radar?
City leaders boldly claim that support for photo radar is at an all-time high. Is that the truth? Read the report prepared for city leaders and designated "Confidential - Not for Public Release" to decide for yourself. Pay attention to page 17 of the report which shows that respondents believe that only 25% of people support photo radar and red light cameras. The study asked about photo radar and red light cameras together and did NOT separate out respondent's opinions about photo radar alone. Only 6% favored more photo radar locations! How's that for support! Read the "confidential" report by clicking here.
3/15/2005: Never Say Die! Senate Passes SB1164!
The Senate voted March 15 to pass Senate Bill 1164 which will prevent use of photo radar on Loop 101. The bill now goes to the House. If it passes and is signed by the Governor, the new law will prevent the state or local authorities from using photo radar without first obtaining the legislature's okay. Contact your legislator, or the bill's sponsors and voice your opinion. Visit our Resources page for a link to the legislature.
March 2005: Scottsdale Airpark News Features Author and Book
The March issue of the Scottsdale Airpark News features a story by Kimberly Bagnal that is must-reading for anyone interested in photo radar. The in-depth article, titled Photo Radar: Friend or Foe? uncovers myths about safety versus revenue and the facts about whether speed causes accidents. Bagnal interviews author Susan Kayler in this revealing piece. Click HERE to read the article. Find out where to get your copy by visiting www.ScottsdaleAirpark.com for more info!
Arizona Senate Takes on Photo Radar in Big Way
The Arizona Senate has been recommending passage of several bills which directly impact photo radar in Arizona and it's thanks to Senator Verschoor who has sponsored the bills. SB 1330 authorizes ADOT to increase speed limits over 65 mph on highways. SB 1324 requires speed limits on highways to be set at the speed that 85% of vehicles travel. SB 1321 reduces the number of points that a speeder gets on the driving record to one from three. SB 1503 changes the law to make exceeding the speed limit a violation (per se) instead of requiring the state to prove that the driver's speed was unreasonable and imprudent. SB 1164 makes use of photo radar on highways illegal. These bills are making progress in the Senate and could have a profound impact on driving behavior and photo enforcement in Arizona. SB 1328 allows cities to mail photo radar citations as long as they are mailed by certified mail with restricted delivery. The bill also provides that a driver only has to pay the costs of a process server if the ticket is handed to the driver (not a relative, friend or lawn.)
Click the link to find out more about the pending bills.
Arizona House Votes to Change Photo Radar Practices
The Arizona State legislature is hearing from voters about photo radar and it doesn’t like what it’s hearing. That may be why three bills which would change how photo radar operates have received the nod from legislators. Last week the House Transportation Committee, chaired by Representative Andy Biggs, gave a do-pass recommendation to HB 2219 which would limit fines and prevent photo radar tickets from resulting in points and license suspensions. Thursday, that Committee gave the nod to HB 2260 which requires a traffic enforcement officer to personally sign photo radar tickets and provides that process servers who falsify affidavits of service be prohibited from working as process servers in the state. Another bill receiving attention prevents photo enforcement on Loop 101 through Scottsdale.
The bills still have to be approved by other committees and the full legislature. Click the link to find your legislator and voice your opinion.
Traffic Cameras Make Mistakes
The latest mistake attributed to the so-called fool-proof traffic cameras in Scottsdale, AZ comes from a local driver who received a ticket which pictured a car she didn't own (and had never owned or driven) with a male driver (a man she didn't know). The city plans to enter a Failure to Appear on her record if she doesn't respond to the mailed ticket. Some drivers get defaulted even if they respond to Scottsdale Court and tell who was driving, so this driver is in a quandry.
Do you have an interesting story about photo radar? Have you witnessed a mistake for yourself? We'd like to hear about it! Email us at Mistakes@photoradarlaw.com. We might just post your story here.
Arrested for Photo Radar -- NOT!
Heard about the driver who was supposedly arrested because he didn't pay photo radar tickets? It's not true! A person CANNOT BE ARRESTED FOR FAILING TO PAY PHOTO RADAR TICKETS!!! Then why did you hear the story? It's Scottsdale's latest CAMPAIGN OF MISINFORMATION to scare you into paying your ticket. Expect to hear more stories about arrests...now you know, the arrest is NOT for photo radar tickets. Don't take our word for it. Do your own research. You'll see.
Question of the Week
Can a photo radar ticket be left at my front door and be considered legally served?
A: No. Tickets have to be personally served on the named defendant or upon a resident of the defendant's domicile who is at least 18 years of age. When process servers say it's legal to leave the papers outside your door if they think they heard someone inside your house, they're wrong.
Do you have a photo radar question you'd like answered here? Write us at Questions@photoradarlaw.com. You may see your question and the answer in our Question of the Week.
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