Does Michigan Issue Tickets From Traffic Light Cameras

On Tuesday, the Michigan Senate passed a nib that would ban the use of cameras to write people tickets for running a red light.

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DETROIT (WXYZ) — On Tuesday, the Michigan Senate passed a pecker that would ban the use of cameras to write people tickets for running a red light.

Senate Beak 857 reads: "Any citation issued on the basis of a recorded image produced by a photographic traffic betoken enforcement organisation in violation of this department is void." The bill applies simply to red light cameras.

While the cameras have not been used in Michigan, they are being used in more than 20 states, such as Ohio and Illinois.

"This shouldn't be happening, and we wanted to make certain this wasn't going to happen in Michigan," said state Sen. Lana Theis of Brighton, the chief sponsor of the bill. "There'south a lot of bug with that, some of which are ramble. Y'all have no opportunity to face your accuser, there'due south an assumption of guilt and yous ameliorate be able to prove yourself innocent."

All the same some local groups similar the Detroit Greenways Coalition debate these cameras are a tool that can protect bikers and pedestrians.

"How dangerous are reddish lights and intersections for pedestrians, bikers and the like?" asked seven Activeness News reporter Brett Kast.

"Well that'south where most the crashes occur, at intersections," coalition Executive Director Scott Todd said. "And a lot of it is red light running."

Scott says fatalities in Southeast Michigan for pedestrians in 2020 was upward 24% and up 80% for bikers, arguing there should exist some exceptions to utilise red light and speed cameras.

"Nosotros don't encounter them as a magic bullet that volition ready everything, we see them as a potential spot solution in areas near parks and schools," Scott said.

The neb passed easily with bipartisan back up, and support on the street is mixed.

Gloria Walker said she was in favor of using the cameras.

"Yes, because I don't want them to hit me, I've been hit before," Walker said. "Nosotros want to be condom and I'm old, I want to be condom."

"No, I wouldn't (want cameras)," another driver said. "Because how would you lot fifty-fifty know who's driving at the time?"

While this beak simply applies to scarlet low-cal cameras, Theis says she intends to work with the House to extend the language of the bill to all cameras, including speed cameras.

"Make the urban center do their job," ane driver said. "Come out and give y'all a ticket, non a photographic camera."

Theis says she does expect the nib to pass the House and after that, it would exist sent to the governor's desk-bound. It's unclear whether the governor would intend to sign or veto the legislation.