Traffic cameras should nab driver, not owner

Now that the House bill banning red-light and speeding cameras has passed through committee, I applaud those who supported the bill. I find it reprehensible that we would need a state law to ensure that every citizen's civil rights are upheld. It's not about big brother, money or speeding, it's about our Fifth Amendment rights of due process.

Tickets from speeding and red-light cameras get sent to the owner of the vehicle, irrespective of who is driving. Many may say, “It's usually a family member driving, so what difference does it make?”

Well, it could be that your car was stolen, or you lent it to a friend, or maybe it's owned by a small business. The owner is not always the driver and the violator is the one who deserves the ticket.

If this is about safety and the city thinks that cameras are the way to go, then make it so the cameras clearly identify the driver and make sure the ticket goes to the driver, not the owner of the vehicle.

Otherwise, hire more police officers.

Even my daughter knew at a young age that when people surrender their liberties in exchange for security, they end up with neither.

DeKevin Thornton

Marion