Whoa.

Mansfield, Ohio, you got a whole new reason to smile today.  Seems the city council turned down, and unanimously, no less, a proposal to install red light cameras in the city.

Redflex, one of those camera companies that seems to be travelling the country looking for municipalities poor and / or desperate enough to install the cameras, was out in force with their standard line about how the cameras are–get this–CONSTITUTIONAL.

And there’s some dubious stuff in there about improved traffic safety, but it seems like there’s a refutation to virtually ever allegation of traffic safety, including some about how confused motorists will actually slam on their brakes at red lights with cameras and cause accidents, trying to avoid getting ticketed.

Meanwhile, councilman Jeff Rockhad this to say, which sums it up nicely:

“Overwhelmingly, the constituents are saying it’s not their choice that we go with red light cameras,” Rock said. “I support the safety forces and Chief Messer. … But I think we need to listen to the people who put us in office.”

Now if only we could get public servants everywhere to think the same thing….

Related posts:

1. A Whole Slew Of Traffic Cameras Going In Nationwide
2. A Traffic Camera Urban Legend In Florida
3. Farragut Traffic Cameras Catch 3000 Speeders In 45 Days
4. Chicago Goes Far Beyond Traffic Cameras
5. Chicago’s Dubious Love Affair With The Traffic Cam