The truth has finally come out. In an amendment to House Bill 1284, the Legislature has laid its cards on the table: They want speed cameras all over Pennsylvania. Amendment 2956 directs the Local Government Commission to study the expansion of automated speed enforcement (speed cameras) on local highways and streets.

This could mean tickets for almost everyone. Federal Highway Administration data says that 90% of Pennsylvania’s speed limits are posted 8 to 16 mph below the safe speeds drivers travel every day. All the authorities have to do is put up a speed camera, and BINGO! The money rolls into Harrisburg. There will be speed traps everywhere.

Cameras cannot stop accidents. Cameras can only take pictures. Speed cameras exist to raise revenue for government, not for safety. According to a recent report from PennDOT, our highways have never been safer.

Why do we need speed cameras? Pennsylvania’s Legislature is the third highest paid in the nation despite only being session for about 50 days per year. Pennsylvania and its local governments just experienced the worst decline in income tax revenues ever recorded. This was the second steepest year-over-year percentage decline in history. Consequently, Harrisburg is desperate for more of our money.

Worldwide, speed cameras have made highways more dangerous, but that’s never reported by the media. Best practices highway engineering makes the roads safer; cameras do not. Tell your state representative and senator to vote “no” on automated speed trap bill HB 1284.

Tom McCarey

Berwyn

The writer is a member of the National Motorists Association.

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