Hooked On Revenue? Small Town Defies State Ban Of Speed Cameras Claiming Safety Concerns

Ridgeland, South Carolina wants to deploy a speed  camera to ticket out-of-state drivers as they pass through the seven-mile stretch of interstate within the tiny town’s limits. The plan angered the state legislature to such a degree that it unanimously enacted legislation in June to prohibit photo enforcement — except during declared state emergencies (view law). The Ridgeland town council refused to back down.

 “As of yesterday, the iTraffic system is up and running,” Mayor Gary W. Hodges said last Tuesday. “We are going to make this community so that when people come through here on I-95… they know they’re going to be safe… Whatever we need to do as this evolves, we’re going to do it.”

 


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Whelan - 8/10/2010 11:52:39 AM

+5 Boost

Forget these po-dunk places. When I drive down to the Outer Banks there are strips of road that are straight, long, no lights. The speed limit is 50 and then you mozy through a tiny place with 3 little buildings and an old outdated unrecognizable sign stating a MUCH lower speed. The cops sit and wait for the vacationers. It's a load of croc and if they are gonna use these cameras then they should put up signs about the upcoming speed changes.

Send me a picture of my car with a ticket, and I'll send you a picture of my money.

Agent009 - 8/10/2010 12:26:55 PM

+3 Boost

Under Texas law you have to warn motorists of speed zones and red light cameras with a posted sign

holmstar - 8/10/2010 12:27:04 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah, I hate that. I don't know how many times I've gone through some "unincorporated" town and saw a cop lurking behind one of the few buildings. Has very little to do with safety, and everything to do with money. I'm SO ready for German style driving laws. Never gonna happen though.

LexSucks - 8/10/2010 5:47:58 PM

+1 Boost

"Send me a picture of my car with a ticket, and I'll send you a picture of my money."

- Someone did that, and the cops sent him back a picture of handcuffs.

jeffy210 - 8/10/2010 12:30:57 PM

+2 Boost

Okay, so they don't follow the state law. I assume this means they can lose state funding? Then what, try to catch more people using the cameras to cover the revenue gap? That's a losing battle.

MorePower - 8/10/2010 5:15:02 PM

+1 Boost

If they were concerned about safety, all they had to do would be to keep the speed limit consistent or post an empty, semi-retired, police cruiser just inside city lines.