If you are operating a motor vehicle in the State of Iowa, you know speeds are carefully monitored. Last week, the Iowa Department of Transportation published new rules requiring cities and counties to provide proof there’s a critical safety concern at a specific location before traffic monitoring cameras would be allowed at that location. The proposed rules will be presented at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Iowa Capital in front of a committee of five Republicans and five Democrats who provide legislative oversight on state agency rule making.
If you would like to comment on the proposed rules, please send your suggestions to the Department of Transportation prior to October 29, 2013. The rules could go into effect as early as February 12, 2014.
At the current time, nine Iowa cities and Polk County use automated cameras to ticket motorists for minor traffic infractions, such as running a red light or violating posted speed limits. The cities included are: Cedar Rapids, Clive, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Muscatine, Sioux City and Windsor Heights. Some of these cities use permanent cameras on highways or Interstates, while others use mobile cameras mounted in vehicles parked alongside state roads.
Although opinions vary on how cost effective and efficient this process is, law enforcement contends roads are safer when drivers know their actions are being monitored. Although the rules would provide some oversight and regulation to the use of the cameras, some politicians and citizens would like to see a permanent ban on the traffic monitoring cameras.
A partner with Inserra & Kelley, Attorneys At Law since 1993, Craig Kelley focuses on personal injury law with a large emphasis on motorcycle and bicycle related cases and claims with the goal of first helping clients heal and then getting speedy resolution of their disputes.
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