Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh has filed legislation to prohibit the installation and use of red light and speed cameras by local governments in Louisiana. The Republican said such devices present a guilty until proven innocent approach with motorists.
“We have constitutional guarantees. You have a right to confront your accusers and those are thrown out the window with these cameras. If you get the ticket you have to pay it regardless of who’s driving your car,” said Seabaugh.
Seabaugh said the cameras are also not routinely calibrated, compared to a law enforcement officer’s radar equipment undergoes regular maintenance.
But Seabaugh said the biggest problem with traffic cameras is the money. When individuals pay court costs for a ticket written by law enforcement it goes towards funding public defenders, the District Attorney’s office, clerk of courts, crime lab, and various other entities. Seabaugh said when you pay a camera ticket.
“The money goes to the company that wrote the ticket, and the municipality that gave them the contract, and all the funding for DAs , public defenders, sheriffs and everybody else goes by the wayside,” said Seabaugh.
The shortfall of not collecting court costs from cameras is having to be made up with taxpayer dollars.
As for the argument the cameras encourage safer driving habits, Seabaugh said there’s no evidence to support they do.
“There’s one municipality in south Louisiana that’s writing $900,000 worth of tickets a month. I don’t think people are slowing down. I haven’t seen any evidence to indicate that they are providing any safety,” said Seabaugh.
Seabaugh said he’s gotten positive feedback from lawmakers on Senate Bill 21 and he expects to have the support from law enforcement and district attorneys in Louisiana.
Comments