Invisible traffic cops.

• Author: Burnett, Chris
• Position: Includes related article on state policies for traffic camera radar enforcement - Camera radar traffic enforcement

People complained in 1903 when Massachusetts and Missouri made them get the first licenses to drive. Now they're complaining about cameras set up to catch them speeding through red lights.

On the way to work, you suddenly see the flash. The bright light, visible for only a split second, has come from an unmarked white station wagon on the shoulder of the road. Glancing in the rearview mirror, you notice a man slouched in the driver's seat reading the newspaper.

You know that camera traffic enforcement has come to your town, but it seems hard to imagine you're its latest victim. After all, you really weren't going that fast, were you?

A few weeks later, the flash now a distant memory, the notification arrives in an envelope marked official city business. The ticket says you were going 43 in a 30-mile-per-hour zone, and that you owe $40. You can pay by mail. If you want to contest the ticket, you can view the picture at the municipal court, and challenge it like any other traffic fine.

STATE POLICIES FOR THE USE OF TRAFFIC CAMERA RADAR CALIFORNIA * Establishes conditions on the use of red-light radar and rail crossing cameras by law enforcement officials. COLORADO * Authorizes the use of cameras to enforce traffic regulations. * Prohibits the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles from assessing points for camera detected violations. * Prohibits using the state's system for tracking outstanding judgments and warrants to keep drivers with unpaid photo radar tickets from renewing their licenses. * Sets a $40 cap on fines for photo radar detected violations. * Requires warning tickets for first-time offenders if their violations are less than 10 mph over the speed limit. * Requires cities using camera systems to compensate the suppliers of those systems based on the value of its equipment and services rather than on the number of tickets generated by the system. DELAWARE * Authorizes a red-light camera program throughout the state. DISTRICT OF * Authorizes a red-light camera program in the COLUMBIA district. ILLINOIS * Authorizes the use of traffic cameras at rail crossings. MARYLAND * Authorizes law enforcement agencies statewide to mail citations to owners of motor vehicles recorded by a traffic control signal monitoring system in violation of traffic laws. NEW JERSEY * Prohibits the use of camera radar by law enforcement officers or agencies. NEW YORK * Authorizes cities with populations of more than 1 million to operate demonstration projects with a maximum of 25 photo monitoring devices. NORTH CAROLINA * Authorizes the city of Charlotte to operate a red-light camera program. OREGON * Authorizes Portland and Beaverton to operate camera radar demonstration projects at their own cost. * Requires jurisdictions to initiate public information campaigns to inform drivers about the use of camera radar and evaluate outcomes. * Restricts areas and lengths of operation. * Outlines conditions for the issuance of citations. * Repeals the act on Dec. 31, 1998. TEXAS * Establishes a pilot program for use of camera radar at rail crossings. UTAH * Limits camera radar to use in school zones, areas with speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less, when a police officer is present with the camera radar unit, when signs are posted on the highway providing notice to a motorist that camera radar may be used, and when the citation is accompanied by the photograph produced by camera radar. VIRGINIA * Establishes a pilot program allowing specified localities to operate traffic light camera radar monitoring systems at no more than 25 intersections within each locality. * Specifies...