Drivers weigh in on bill banning speed cameras in Tennessee
[gtxvideo vid=”m3q11Dq2″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/m3q11Dq2.jpg” vtitle=”Drivers weigh in on bill banning speed cameras in Tennessee”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — A bill banning speed cameras in Tennessee is headed to the governor‘s desk for approval. Speed through Medina and cameras on Highway 45 will catch you, but maybe not for much longer. State lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved a proposal banning speed cameras in Tennessee. “I don’t see any use for them,” driver Latia Campbell said. “People get tickets and they don’t even be doing nothing.” Campbell said she got a ticket. “The first one was $50,” she said. Some drivers such as Teresia Brooks worry about safety. “I’m sort of skeptical about removing them, cause when I see one I always slow down,” Brooks said. State lawmakers said the bill still allows S-curve roads and school zones to utilize the cameras. The city of Medina released the following statement Thursday: “In recent years, City of Medina has been aware of an increasing problem of excessive speed and accidents occurring on Hwy 45 within our city. Due to this fact, a study was taken and concluded the need to address this issue. With the cooperation of Tennessee Department of Transportation and American Traffic Solutions, our city devised a plan of action to install a traffic signal and install speed enforcement cameras. This plan has proved successful by significantly slowing down the traffic, decreasing accidents and enabling our officers to focus more on citizen safety.” Brooks said she wants the cameras to stay. “With the cameras up, you know they’re going to be safe,” she said. “They don’t want that ticket in the mail.” Others like Campbell are ready to see them go. “I really don’t see any use for them,” she said. “That’s what the police are here for.” The original proposal also banned red-light cameras, but the amended proposal only includes speed cameras. The bill‘s sponsor, Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden, said he will work toward outlawing red-light cameras next year. Gov. Bill Haslam will review the proposal when it reaches his desk.
