we saw that...

Reporting on this -- in the papers at least -- has been very misleading. This legislation imposes no real limitations on photo ticketing, and therefore faces no opposition from those engaged in ticketing. The only effect of the bill would be to stop legal action against photo enforcement based on lack of state authorization (a tactic which succeeded before the Minnesota Supreme Court, but failed before the Ohio Supreme Court). Your legislators probably will not realize this is a Trojan Horse when it comes to the floor, soon.

Louisiana Lawmakers Vote to Expand Traffic Camera Use

A Louisiana state Senate committee voted last Thursday to give the green light to municipalities eager to expand the use of red light cameras and speed cameras throughout the state. The Senate Local and Municipal Affairs panel approved a measure introduced by state Senator Troy Hebert (D-Jeanerette) that would grant specific, state-level authorization for the use of cameras to ticket motorists. Although Hebert claimed personally to oppose automated ticketing, during the hearing he reassured representatives from local governments and Australian traffic camera vendor Redflex that he supported what they were doing.

"I will give my word that I will not allow any amendment that would prevent these individuals from doing what they're doing," Hebert said.

An early version of Hebert's legislation did impose a ban on contingent fee contracts that compensate photo ticketing companies based on the number of citations issued. Committee members struck this provision, even though it is routinely ignored in other states. California cities, for example, claim that using a "cost neutrality" clause allows them to pay vendors based on the numbers of citations issued despite the state's ban on the practice.

The only remaining restriction in Hebert's bill would prohibit cities like Lafayette from taking photographs of the front of a vehicle to help identify the driver. Banning these photos would allow the city to issue more, not fewer, citations. Jurisdictions that take both front and rear photographs of automobiles end up throwing out many otherwise viable tickets when the driver's image is obscured. Taking half the number of photographs also increases the profitability of the system.

City Prosecutor Art Boudreaux appeared before the committee to defend Baton Rouge's photo enforcement program. Asked if he had any problem with the legislation, he replied, "I don't think I do." No members of the public were invited to speak.

Hebert's legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.