Public hearing scheduled on proposal to ban traffic cameras in Iowa

DES MOINES - A Senate subcommittee has slated a public meeting Thursday on a proposal to curtail the use of cameras that monitor speeding and red-light violations along streets or highways in Iowa.

The three-member panel will give initial consideration and hear public comments at 11:30 a.m. in Room 24 behind the Senate chambers in the Iowa Capitol building in Des Moines.

Senate File 129 would impose a statewide prohibition on the use of automated traffic enforcement systems and would provide for the termination of existing systems. The bill prohibits the state Department of Transportation and local authorities from placing the devices on or adjacent to a highway or maintaining or employing the use of such a system for enforcement of state or local motor-vehicle laws effective July 1.

Local authorities that currently are using the automated traffic enforcement systems would have to discontinue their use and remove the equipment on or before July 1 and all local ordinances authorizing their use would be void.

However, notices of violations that were mailed or citations which were issued before July 1 would not be invalidated by the prohibition and would remain enforceable.