Just as state lawmakers pass a bill that will likely end most traffic camera programs in Ohio, the state’s highest court has ruled cities have the authority to use those red light and speed cameras.
The lawyer for ticketed-driver Bradley Walker argued before the Ohio Supreme Court in June that Toledo’s administrative hearing process to appeal a traffic citation was unconstitutional because state lawmakers haven’t specifically allowed it. He says appeals should have to go through municipal court. Toledo Law Director Adam Loukx disagreed.
“A principal part of that constitution is the home rule authority of a city to self-govern,” Loukx said.
The high court split 4-3 and agreed with Toledo. But the ruling may not have much impact, because the bill Gov. John Kasich is likely to sign requires a police officer to be posted with each traffic camera, and most cities say they won’t be able to run their camera programs with that requirement.