Iowa DOT Traffic Cameras Zoom in on Safety
Instead of revenue generation, traffic cameras should be used to enforce street safety, according to Iowa officials.
Iowa officials are seeking make traffic-enforcement devices important tools in increasing transportation safety.
Working to utilize these devices more for safety than revenue-generators, Iowa Department of Transportation is outlining a plan to enhance safety on the state's highway system. Cameras and other monitoring devices should now be placed in locations with frequent crash history and high risk occurrences, according to new DOT guidelines.
Cities seeking to install traffic enforcement cameras have to now submit a report with evidence justifying the necessity of a camera for safety purposes.
“Seldom should an automated enforcement system be used as a long-term solution for speeding or red-light running,” according to the DOT guidelines. “Instead, a traffic safety plan should be developed that includes solutions, such as infrastructure improvements, use of innovative traffic control systems, alternative enforcement approaches and public education, which can eliminate the need for automated enforcement.”
State officials predict that the issue of camera enforcement will resurface in the 2013 legislative session.