Officer, I thought the speed limit was 85!
Americans are bitterly divided on the use of red light cameras and speed cameras, according to a new survey of 1,000 drivers by FindLaw.com.
A slight majority — 52 percent — oppose the use of radar speed cameras, which automatically trigger a camera to snap a speedy driver’s license plate.
"If you drive across the country, you might encounter a 'red light camera' in one city, a 'speed camera' in another city, and neither in other cities,” said Stephanie Rahlfs, attorney-editor at FindLaw.com in a statement. “It's always advisable for motorists to be aware of the applicable traffic laws wherever they travel."
According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association:
13 states prohibit the use of speed cameras
12 states and the District of Columbia have speed cameras
10 states prohibit red light cameras
24 states and the District of Columbia currently use red light cameras
The use of automatic speed cameras increased from 115 communities in 2011 to 137 in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Men were more likely to oppose the speed cameras, while women were more supportive of them.
Red light cameras are a little more popular with 56 percent supporting and 44 percent opposing. Use of red light cameras are decreasing, however, as communities have passed laws banning them. There are about 400 communities still using them.
Do you think red light or speed cameras are a money grab or a key to driving utopia? Vote below:
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer with the Scripps National Desk.
