Ohio House Panel OKs Traffic Camera Restrictions

A bill requiring a police officer’s presence for tickets to be issued from traffic cameras is headed to the full Ohio House for a vote.

The legislation would regulate the statewide use of the traffic-monitoring devices. A House panel passed it Wednesday along party lines.

After surging in use, traffic cameras have faced increasing pushback, including legal challenges to their constitutionality and criticism that they’re nothing more than money-makers for cities. Voters in Cleveland and one of its suburbs were the latest to ban the devices in November.

Some police departments have expressed opposition, saying the cameras lead drivers to behave more responsibly and increase traffic safety.

The House committee’s chairman, Republican Rep. Mike Dovilla of Berea, questioned such arguments. He expressed concerns about people’s right to appeal their tickets.