Ohio Supreme Court: Traffic Camera Ruling Applies To These Cities

DAYTON, OH — The Ohio Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that its previous ruling upholding Dayton's use of the traffic cameras should be applied to cases involving cameras in Toledo and Springfield. This is the fourth time the state's highest court has ruled in favor of cities that use traffic cameras to ticket speeders and red-light runners.

The court ruled 4-3 that its July decision should be applied to cases involving cameras in the other cities. That means those cases will go back to county courts.

Dayton, Toledo and Springfield have been challenging a 2015 state law that restricted use of the cameras, including requiring that an officer be present when cameras are being used. The cities said the rules undercut camera enforcement and made it too costly for cities to operate. Several cities stopped using their fixed traffic cameras after lawmakers changed the rules.

The state, though, maintained it had the authority to regulate traffic enforcement across the state and argued the law was a good compromise on the traffic cameras.

Justice Pat DeWine was one of three justices opposing the court's decision issued Wednesday. He said the ruling in July was fractured and lacked a majority view to apply to the other two cities.

"The decision adds nothing but more confusion," he wrote.

Critics say the cameras are only boosting revenues for cities while violating motorists' rights. But the cities say they increase safety on the roads and allow police to focus on other crimes.

Still to be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court is whether the state can withhold discretionary funds from cities that use traffic cameras.

Also pending is a legislative proposal that would offset revenue cities earn from cameras by reducing the same amount from its state funding.

By JOHN SEEWER, Associated Press

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