Legislation would bar traffic cameras statewide

Published 12:01 am Friday, February 4, 2011

A busload of lawmakers set out Thursday to ban the use of red-light cameras statewide, a move that could put a damper on a looming ballot battle on the devices in Monroe.

Twenty-six lawmakers signed on to a bill to repeal the state law allowing cities and counties to use cameras to catch vehicles running red lights and speeding in school zones. Snapshots from those cameras result in tickets with hefty fines exceeding $100.

As the cameras proliferate in Washington, opponents are getting louder in their complaint that local governments aren’t using them to boost safety but to feed their cash-depleted coffers.

“I think there needs to be some common-sense restrictions at a minimum, and I think we need to talk about whether we should keep them around at all,” said Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, one of the sponsors of House Bill 1823.

This bill, which enjoys support from Democrats and Republicans, is among several bills dealing with the cameras filed this session. It might not travel far as the leader of the House Transportation Committee isn’t sure she’ll hold a hearing on it.

“I’m not prone to doing that right now,” said Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, who is the committee’s chairwoman.

In the meantime, Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Enumclaw, is pushing another bill that allows cities to keep using cameras but get voter approval for adding more. It also aims to lower the amount of fines and control the amount paid to the vendors providing the cameras.

That’s the intent of initiatives launched by Tim Eyman in Monroe, Wenatchee, Bellingham and Longview. Each one requires voter approval of red-light camera deployment as well as a limit on the fine amount.

Eyman said Thursday he didn’t think Morris’ bill would succeed but hoped it would clear a path for the Hurst legislation, “which would actually do something significant.”

He’s continuing his effort to get Monroe Initiative 1 on the November ballot. Last week, he and other civic activists started a campaign to collect the required 1,000 registered voters’ signatures.

Meanwhile, the Monroe City Council will hold a public meeting on the use of traffic enforcement cameras on March 8.

“This is an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts about the use of cameras in Monroe,” Mayor Robert Zimmerman said.

The city has a speed camera installed at Fryelands Elementary School at 15286 Fryelands Blvd. A second one at Frank Wagner Elementary School at 639 W. Main St. has not been activated.

There are also plans to install a red-light camera at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Kelsey Street. Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems plans to install it but the date is unknown, public works director Brad Feilberg said.

People caught speeding at Fryelands have received a warning. It could be known in a couple of weeks if future violators will get a $124 ticket, spokeswoman Debbie Willis said.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Have your say

Public meeting to discuss traffic enforcement cameras:

•7 p.m., March 8

•Monroe City Council Chambers, 806 W. Main St., Monroe