Sponsored by Sen. Shirley Johnson, R-Royal Oak, the law allows any city, police department or county road commission, as well as the state, to install cameras at a crossing equipped with flashing lights and barrier guards. Under the crossing law and the pending red-light law, the cameras will be able to photograph the violator in the act, and then the image will be mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. There is disagreement over the effectiveness of such a traffic tool, which is used nationwide by at least 50 communities in six states. A new state law allows video cameras to be installed at railroad crossings, to identify violators. A similar bill would point cameras at red-light runners.
Proponents say the cameras reeducate drivers and reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries.
But it won't be a system communities will easily afford. Still, from a law-enforcement standpoint, Collins said, it could be a valuable tool. Anything you can do to discourage people from driving around those arms would be good. This is being introduced as a deterrent, not as a source of revenue. Hopefully people will think twice knowing they'll receive a citation, even if a cop isn't around.