CalCoast News

Lawmakers seek to expand photo-enforcement of traffic laws

By Jennifer Muir
Orange County Register
February 10, 2008

While courts in Orange County work to resolve problems processing photo tickets, efforts are growing across the state to expand the role cameras play in enforcing traffic laws.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, plans to introduce legislation for the third time this year that would allow Beverly Hills police to enforce speed in neighborhoods using photo radar technology. Two previous attempts to allow a pilot project there – in 2005 and 2006 – failed amid concern that allowing cameras on residential streets amounts to an invasion of privacy and fears that other cities would soon follow suit.

"People saying it could open something up was ridiculous," Kuehl said. "When you have something (legislation) that is specific to a place or a city, you can't open it up. I like pilot projects because they allow a city or a place that really, really wants to do something to amass some data about it."

Last month, concern over cameras ignited concern among state assembly members as well.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, proposed legislation that would change language in the vehicle code to allow photo enforcement at a specific intersection where turning right on a green light is illegal. Members of the assembly's transportation committee expressed concern that the proposed changes could create opportunities for more cameras to be installed in more locations across the state.

So the bill was narrowed before it passed muster: now it only affects one intersection in San Francisco.

"I think that there are some members who look at the spread of surveillance cameras as something that has to be carefully monitored," said Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, who chairs the assembly's transportation committee. "That was in large part why we wanted to help Ms. Ma craft a response that was more localized."

Meanwhile, a state authority that runs parks in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in June began using cameras to ticket motorists at five stop signs in three parks – the first program of its kind in the nation.

Cameras have been installed at stop signs at the Top of Topanga overlook, a popular spot for viewing the San Fernando Valley, in Franklin Canyon and in Temescal Gateway Park. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which runs the parks, installed the cameras hoping to slow down speeders. Spokeswoman Dash Stolarz says the program already has reduced stop sign violations by more than 70 percent at all the intersections.

The program faced criticism because it violates several provisions in the vehicle code that regulate photo enforcement: The camera vendor is paid a cut of each ticket issued and vehicle owners, not drivers, are responsible for paying the $100 ticket.

Still, the program is legal, Stolarz says, because the state authority doesn't operate under the vehicle code and has independent authority to enforce its own laws.

And finding ways to get out of photo enforcement tickets is getting harder, as well.

Last year, lawmakers made it a misdemeanor to sell products that obscure license plate numbers so that drivers can avoid paying red light camera tickets or tolls. Those caught selling products such as license plate shields or sprays face a $250 fine for each product sold. Using those devices also is illegal.