Speed cameras fine, but use money for streets

I recently paid a $75 speeding ticket to the city of Cedar Rapids issued by the red light traffic cameras at the Edgewood Road and 42nd Street intersection. Since their introduction in 2009, Cedar Rapids' traffic cameras have generated more than $3.5 million in revenue, about $1 million of which went back to the camera vendor, leaving more than $2.5 million for the Cedar Rapids' general fund.

Some folks have a deep distaste for traffic cameras, calling them “cash cows” and “Big Brother,” while others see traffic cameras as life savers and behavior changers. Several Iowa Senate Republicans introduced Senate File 129, which would ban the use of all traffic cameras in Iowa and require cities already using cameras to remove them by July 1.

At first, I was all for banning the cameras so I would be free from future unjustified speeding tickets. Then I realized I did speed, hence I broke the law. So why shouldn't I pay the price? Since paying my speeding ticket, I am extra careful and more aware when going through that intersection. The cameras changed my behavior. Police Capt. Steve O'Konek claims the goal for the cameras is to reduce injuries and fatalities. The revenue is just icing on the cake. Now if they would just use that icing only to improve city streets and parks, maybe fewer people would complain when they write out those checks to the Cedar Rapids Violation Processing Center.

Sha Hall

Marion