COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio lawmakers have taken another step toward eliminating traffic cameras that track speeding and red light violations in the state. The Ohio Statehouse passed an $11 billion transportation budget bill on Wednesday, which includes a provision that would prohibit counties and townships from operating traffic cameras.  “My constituents that travel through those townships [using traffic cameras] are tired of getting tickets in the mail,” said Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), the lawmaker who introduced the provision. “It has nothing to do with public safety, it’s all about revenue.” The bill would specifically affect counties and townships – cities and villages would be able to continue their programs, thanks to their right to self-govern. In 2017, the Ohio Supreme Court found laws restricting cities’ use of traffic cameras violated their home rule authority. However, Cutrona said he wants to see how he can address city traffic cameras in the future.  Although current Ohio law permits townships and counties use of traffic cameras to detect speeding and red light violations, a law that took effect in 2015 requires a law enforcement officer to be present at the camera while it is in use. This rule does not apply to cities. When a camera detects a violation, a ticket may be issued through the mail.  “A lot of times it gets you at times where it's not really fair,” said Ohio driver Carlton Walker. “There's got to be a better way to alert you of what you're doing in the moment.” Currently, 24 municipalities in Ohio run traffic cameras, according to the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The organization noted some jurisdictions will quietly start or stop using traffic cameras, so this number is an estimate.  Most of the municipalities that use traffic cameras in Ohio are in the northeast part of the state. In Central Ohio, the Village of Brice is the only municipality that uses traffic cameras. Since Brice is not a township or county, it would remain unaffected by the budget bill. In 2019 and 2020, Brice generated about 80% of its total general fund from traffic camera tickets. From 2015 to 2020, that revenue amounted to $2.3 million for the approximately 100-person village, according to an audit conducted by Ohio Auditor Keith Faber in March 2022. "This tiny village is a speed trap reliant on automated speeding citations to pay the bills,” Faber said in a 2022 news release. Traffic cameras in Ohio cities have long faced controversy and criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Numerous bills have been introduced in the Statehouse over the years to restrict the use of traffic cameras, and such programs have been at the center of multiple Ohio Supreme Court cases.  “I think overtime, what we have seen in terms of any of the studies that come back is that traffic cameras do not keep us safe traffic-wise,” said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood). "They're basically set up to get some additional revenue for the jurisdiction that has traffic cameras.” However, officials with cities who use the cameras claim they help keep residents safe. Trevor Elkins is the mayor of Newburgh Heights – an Ohio village known for its traffic camera use. While the bill would not directly affect Newburgh Heights, Elkins spoke out against the move.  "I can only assume that the legislature doesn't fully understand that their action is one that is only protecting reckless law-breakers and hurting the law-abiding residents of their districts,” Elkins said.  Research studies have shown mixed results on the effectiveness of traffic cameras. For example, a 2017 study by IIHS compared large cities with red light traffic cameras to those without the devices, finding the cameras reduced fatal crashes caused by running a red light by 21%. However, a 2018 study by Case Western Reserve University found red light cameras do not significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents, injuries or fatalities. The transportation budget bill, introduced in early February, makes budget appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Along with regulating traffic camera use, the legislation would invest about $11.48 billion into highway construction and maintenance, as well as safety upgrades on roadways, according to a news release from the Ohio House. As with all spending bills, DeWine has the ability to reject certain provisions within the legislation. If he approves the provision banning counties and townships from using traffic cameras, it would go into effect 90 days after he signs the bill. ...read more read less