Louisiana Lawmakers Push to Ban Photo Enforcement
Louisiana Lawmakers Push to Ban Photo Enforcement
Legislation introduced in Louisiana would ban the use of speed cameras and red light cameras.
A pair of state lawmakers are looking to put an end to the use of red light cameras and speed cameras in Louisiana. State Representatives Jeff Arnold (D-Algiers) and Cedric Richmond (D-New Orleans) introduced legislation to outlaw photo ticketing following a referendum earlier this month in which 86 percent of voters in a Louisiana city ordered traffic cameras banned.
“People need to find out if their legislator is on the side of local government or the people,” Richmond wrote on Facebook.
To encourage public involvement, Richmond and Arnold created the “No More Traffic Cameras” Facebook group last week. Already, 770 members have registered their interested in following the progress of House Bill 480. Richmond sees the group as central to the legislation’s success.
“If we keep this group going and get people excited about this, we will pass the legislation,” Richmond wrote.
Louisiana law specifically prohibits police from mailing traffic citations based on photographs (R.S. 32:365). Cities ignored this prohibition and used private, for-profit foreign contractors to operate every aspect of the programs.
Last June, however, lawmakers approved a provision designed to grant legislative recognition to the use of cameras. The measure had been offered in the guise of a limitation on photo ticketing. If Richmond and Arnold succeed in convincing colleagues to pass the ban, the ban would prohibit both localities and any private contractors from issuing such tickets. Louisiana would also join Montana whose legislature sent a photo ticketing ban to the governor earlier this month. Last month, Mississippi outlawed photo ticketing. Alaska, Arkansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin have also banned automated citations through judicial or legislative action.
A full copy of the legislation is available in a 15k PDF file at the source link below.
Source: 
House Bill 480 (Louisiana State Legislature, 4/28/2009)
goldiron 
I just can’t believe that local governments have to hire an Australian company to take pictures of alleged speeders.My vehicle was phtographed allegedly speeding in Baker,La. I was informed that in order to have a hearing to dispute the ticket it would cost me 30.00 up front, refunded if I won my argument. One way to fight this B.S. is to boycott the municipalities that stoop to these methods. A letter to the local chamber of commerce with a lot of signatures will do the trick. When we hit these towns where they hit us, in the pocketbook,they will come around.
Another way to let them know of our displeasure is the use of paint guns against the hated cameras.
It won’t ruin the cameras; it will only temporarily “blind it” until the rain washed the paint off
I do not aggree with this practice. It is not fair to the motoriest. In some cases , due to weather conditions , the equipment could mal-function and issue citations when there are no traffic violations committed. This simply robbing the people and i wish the lesgilature would bring a stop to this type of business.
a picture was taking of my vehicle when i was not speeding at all traveling at about 35 to 38 mph i was snapped twice before i got to it and before i even passed it. and there were no other cars on the road. i travel this hwy in baker sometimes six to seven times daily i know where they are located, why would i speed. wonder the explanation.