By Brittany Poss ~ According to the Department of Transportation website, drivers in Sioux City, Ankeny, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids, Muscatine, Davenport and the Des Moines area have been exposed to speed and red light cameras. Major Iowa cities, that accumulate millions of dollars each year from traffic camera violations, have begun weighing their options as the ban of these monitoring devices may be coming.
The intent was to create a safer driving environment in heavily populated areas, much like a big brother program. Enforcement agencies anticipated drivers would better follow traffic laws under this “watchdog” surveillance, In turn lowering the accident rate.
In addition to these objectives, the cities have used the revenue collected to stimulate a number of city improvement projects without raising taxes. One of these projects included financially helping build the new Fire Station 4 in Sioux City, which anticipated a final cost of 3.1 million.
The Iowa House recently passed the ban of these cameras by a 58-42 voting margin. According to the Des Moines Register, supporters of the ban thought the cameras eliminated the human element of traffic enforcement laws and also thought the fines were too high. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is a large advocate who agreed to sign a constitutional amendment in favor of the ban. Those who were opposed believed their placement is effective in reducing violations and accidents.
The bill now moves to the Senate who has the option of bringing it to the floor for voting purposes. If the ban passes, Iowa will join nine other states that have passed laws prohibiting the use of automated traffic cameras.
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