Officer Requirement for Red Light Camera Clears Ohio Senate

A police officer’s presence would be required for tickets to be issued from red-light cameras around Ohio under a bill that’s cleared the Ohio Senate.

The officer requirement was among new statewide restrictions placed on the traffic-monitoring devices in legislation approved Wednesday in a bipartisan 24-9 vote. It goes next to the Ohio House.

Sen. William Seitz (syts), a Cincinnati Republican, said the bill addresses various legal issues arising from the devices. Fellow Republican Frank LaRose called the officer requirement “an effective ban” and voted no.

After surging in use, red-light cameras have faced increasing pushback, including legal challenges to their constitutionality and criticism they are nothing more than money-makers for cities.

Voters in Cleveland and one of its suburbs were the latest to ban the devices in November.