Opponents of Arizona's Traffic Cameras May Prevail

01/04/2010

For the past couple of years, a controversy has been brewing in Arizona that has been watched by officials in other states because of its potential effect on auto insurance rates and traffic safety.

A New York Times report features the cameras that were set up by state officials in 2008 that would automatically record license plates and mail tickets to offenders. The program quickly touched off civil liberties and privacy controversies, among other issues.

However, the newspaper notes that opponents of the program have generated considerable momentum as they seek to have it scrapped. For example, the program has apparently generated disappointing revenues, drivers have learned that there are few, if any, actual consequences for ignoring the tickets, and the state's governor is said to be among those who are now skeptical of the cameras.

Other states and cities have implemented their own similar programs which record license plates and mail tickets for infractions such as running red lights.

While the future of this particular form of technology is murky at best in Arizona, drivers are generally advised to obey the speed limit and other traffic laws even without the presence of cameras. After all, such violations can cause serious accidents and being ticketed can result in substantially higher auto insurance premiums for years in some cases.

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