Red-light cameras ruled OK

Unanimous decision by Ohio Supreme Court says cities do not overstep their authority.

By Laura A. Bischoff and Joanne Huist Smith

COLUMBUS — Cities, such as Dayton, are allowed to use red light cameras to enforce traffic laws, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a 7-0 decision. The court said an Ohio municipality does not overstep its authority under "home rule" provisions in the state constitution when it creates an automated traffic enforcement system, as long as the city doesn't alter any statewide traffic provisions. "This is a check mark in the good column for home rule," Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said. "It's good news that the decision was unanimous and that the Ohio Supreme Court recognizes the cameras reduce accidents and save lives." Dayton installed its first traffic camera in 2003 and has 20 operating at 10 intersections. Seven of the 10 monitored intersections are west of the Great Miami River.  From January 2006 through June 2007, an average of 79 violations per month, per camera were captured, according to city records. During that same period, the number of accidents that resulted from red light violations dropped 72 percent at intersections enforced with red light cameras.  Akron-area motorist Kelly Mendenhall, who had been nabbed by an unmanned camera for speeding, challenged the constitutionality of Akron's traffic ordinance that permitted camera enforcement.  The U.S. District Court for the Northern District, which is handling Mendenhall's case, asked the Ohio Supreme Court to determine whether the challenged local ordinances violate the "home rule" provision of the Ohio Constitution.  Akron uses cameras to catch drivers running red lights and speeding and then issues "civil citations" to the car owner. Mendenhall contended that the city ordinance conflicted with state laws that define speeding and traffic light violations as criminal offenses.  Justice Judith Lanzinger, who wrote the decision, said Akron's ordinance did not conflict with the state's traffic laws.  The justices acknowledged that there are other legal questions about the use of red light cameras. "Although there have been due process questions regarding the operation of the Akron Ordinance and those similar to it, they are not appropriately before us at this time, and will not be discussed here," Lanzinger wrot