School Bus Cameras (H 5657, S 0144)

The Affiliate testified in opposition to legislation amending current law allowing the use of cameras on school buses to catch drivers who unlawfully pass them.  The ACLU has long opposed the increasing use of cameras in traffic enforcement, and renewed those concerns in regard to this legislation.  The legislation enacted this year permits the companies owning these cameras to receive a portion of the revenue garnered from tickets issued by these cameras, providing an incentive to these companies to encourage traffic law violations rather than prevent them.  On a positive note, the legislature agreed with the Affiliate that a new section of the bill permitting the use of the cameras to ticket drivers for following too closely behind a school bus was unreasonable, and eliminated that provision.