Ohio lawmaker wants to regulate, not ban, red light cameras

By Maggie Thurber | for Ohio Watchdog

Rep. Margaret Ann Ruhl, who voted against a bill to ban red light cameras in Ohio, is now pushing alternative language to regulate the cameras.

H.B. 69 was passed 61 to 32 by the House in June and sent to the Senate for action. It is expected to be assigned to thePublic Safety, Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee chaired by Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Copley Twp.,who indicated all options will be considered, including Ruhl’s alternative wording.

Ruhl, R-Mt. Vernon, drafted her substitute bill when theHouse was considering the ban, modeling it after the process used in Columbus. 

Columbus uses only red light cameras, not ones intended to catch speeders, and only employs them in intersections with a high number of right-angle crashes. The city’s camera vendor reviews each photo three times before it is forwarded to a police officer, who also reviews it before issuing a citation. The citation comes with a web address and a PIN so drivers can access a video of the incident. Individuals can appeal the citations.

Ruhl’s alternative language would require a safety study of intersections or locations prior to installing cameras.

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