California Senate Bill 1300 will allow automated SPEEDING ticket cameras
- also known as photo radar - to be mailed to you. It's in the state senate right now. Presently, the bill is restricted to a pilot program in only one town, Beverly Hills, and only in 25 mph zones. But it is early in the session and the bill could easily be amended to include other cities; also, there is no technical reason the cameras couldn't be used for the enforcement of higher speed limits. A current example is Scottsdale, Arizona, which recently installed cameras on an 8-mile section of the 101 freeway loop. Even though there was a 30 day period during which warning tickets were mailed out (Jan. 22 to Feb. 22), the Mar. 31 East Valley Tribune reported that in the five weeks after Feb.
22, more than 6500 REAL tickets were issued!The use of a pilot program ("It's just one town") as a way of getting a foot in the door may be part of a national plan by the industry - very similar legislation has just been passed by the Maryland legislature. (Article at:
The auto clubs are staying neutral position on the bill, so far. If you are an auto club member, call your club and talk to them - maybe they will change their position, and actively oppose the bill. If the auto clubs strongly oppose SB 1300, it will not pass. Club phone numbers are available at:
Ed.