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Wisconsin: State Committee Scraps Photo Radar Plan

A state committee scrapped the governor's plan for photo radar enforcement, and a local lawmaker hopes the issue is settled.

Rep. Marlin SchneiderThe state's Joint Finance Committee pulled a provision this month in Gov. Jim Doyle's budget proposal that would have allowed municipalities to use cameras to enforce regulations at intersections in construction zones.

It was a proposal state Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, opposed.

"I think it would be abused, particularly by some local governments that will see it as a cash cow," Schneider said.

Unlike other states such as Illinois, Arizona and California where Municipalities use equipment that takes photos to catch drivers breaking the law, Wisconsin will not give in to this method of selective enforcement

"There is no guarantee the person who receives the ticket will be the person who was driving." Schneider said.

"It's simply unfair!" Schneider felt that if the construction zone provision had been allowed then leaders would have gradually altered the law to the point that the cameras could be placed just about anywhere.

Wisconsin Rapids resident Glenn Swetz said it's the government's job to protect people and wishes the Legislature would have approved the provision.

"Traffic safety is one of the big issues," Swetz said. "I think this was just a cost-effective and safe way to improve traffic safety."

Schneider said a much easier way to ensure safety at intersections is to lengthen the yellow-light intervals.

Portage County Sheriff John Charewicz would support laws that would give greater oversight of drivers in construction zones however he has heard of problems with photo enforcement.

He related that a friend of his received a photo ticket in the mail from Washington, D.C., even though the friend was actually visiting Charewicz in Wisconsin on the day of the alleged violation.

Schneider said drivers could receive multiple citations from one extended driving trip without knowing it until later.

"Most of the people who work (in the state Legislature) understand this, because we have to drive all the way to Madison," Schneider said.

Schneider is concerned the issues will come up again in the near future, however Charewicz doesn't think so.

"This is a state that won't allow us to do checkpoint stops for (operating while intoxicated) or for snowmobiles," Charewicz said, "I don't know if legislators will vote this in; they'll figure it is more intrusive."

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The Guru's Views

Wow, I guess it's easy for politicians in Wisconsin to sleep at night knowing they are choosing to make the roads safer and prevent their citizens from being ripped off by their own leaders.

Pretty incredible concept......maybe it's ripple effect will extend to other jurisdictions and Country's

Hats off to People like Rep. Marlin Schneider for standing up for what's right and not being influenced by money and camera companies.

Perhaps it's time Mayors, Premiers and Police Chiefs across Canada start cutting the Money chain that binds them to Profiteering Camera Companies looking to line their own pockets and start becoming more creative in raising money and enforcing laws. Shame on all of you for continuing these unsafe and unscrupulous practices!

Slow Down, Drive Safe and keep your money in your own Pocket.

Larry Stefanuik
Trafficticketguru.com

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