Puyallup Sen. Jim Kastama has introduced a bill to force local governments to reduce the fines associated with red light and speed cameras.
“The traffic cameras were originally passed in the interest of public safety, but now they’re viewed as revenue generators,” Kastama said. “Local governments are levying fines far higher than anyone in the Legislature intended.”
Kastama said he was reacting to reports that some cities view tickets from the traffic cameras as a means of collecting revenue for the general fund.
“It’s clear that the focus has shifted from public safety to revenue. This is not what the Legislature intended, and it’s not what the public wants.”
The bill is Senate Bill 6410.
Rep. Christopher Hurst of Greenwater has a similar bill in the House. The first words of his bill are “The purposed of law enforcement is to protect and serve, not collect and serve.”
Peter Callaghan, The News Tribune
