Signed by Governor John Kasich

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that limits the use of traffic cameras.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a local authority from using a traffic camera to issue a ticket unless a law enforcement officer is present at the location of the device and witnesses the violation (Sec. 1)

• Specifies that a local authority may issue a ticket using only traffic cameras if either of the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):

• A vehicle is moving faster than 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and is in a school zone or within the boundaries of a state or local park; or

• A vehicle is moving faster than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

• Specifies that an individual has 30 days after the receipt of a ticket to provide an affidavit stating that they were not the individual operating the vehicle (Sec. 1)

• Requires the placement of signs at all traffic camera locations informing motorists that a camera is present (Sec. 1).

• Requires a safety study to be conducted prior to setting up a traffic camera in any location, which includes an accounting of incidents that have occurred in the area over the previous 3 years (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the use of traffic cameras.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a local authority from using a traffic camera to issue a ticket unless a law enforcement officer is present at the location of the device and witnesses the violation (Sec. 1)

• Specifies that a local authority may issue a ticket using only traffic cameras if either of the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):

• A vehicle is moving faster than 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and is in a school zone or within the boundaries of a state or local park; or

• A vehicle is moving faster than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

• Specifies that an individual has 30 days after the receipt of a ticket to provide an affidavit stating that they were not the individual operating the vehicle (Sec. 1)

• Requires the placement of signs at all traffic camera locations informing motorists that a camera is present (Sec. 1).

• Requires a safety study to be conducted prior to setting up a traffic camera in any location, which includes an accounting of incidents that have occurred in the area over the previous 3 years (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits traffic cameras from being used to issue tickets unless an officer is present at the time of the violation.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a locality from using a traffic camera to issue a ticket to individuals for traffic violations unless a law enforcement officer is present at the location of the device “at all times during the operation of the device” and witnesses the violation (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a locality may issue a traffic violation ticket using only traffic cameras if the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• An individual is driving at least 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a school zones or park area; or
• An individual is driving at least 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

• Requires a law enforcement officer who wishes to employ a traffic camera for the purposes of issuing a traffic violation ticket to examine the recorded evidence to determine whether such violation has occurred (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual who receives a ticket for a traffic violation under the provisions of this bill, to provide the law enforcement agency with the following information within 30 days after receipt of the ticket (Sec. 1):
• An affidavit by the registered owner of the relevant vehicle stating that another individual was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, and identifying the name and address of the individual; or
• An affidavit stating that the vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation, along with proof that a police report was filed prior to the violation or within 48 hours after the violation occurred.

• Requires the placement of signs at all traffic camera locations informing motorists that a camera is present at the location (Sec. 1).

• Requires a safety study to be conducted prior to setting up a traffic camera in any location, which includes an accounting of incidents that have occurred in the area over the previous 3 year period (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text