I oppose SB-1297 which will expand the speed camera pilot program to PCH in Malibu.
SB-1297 is another bait-and-switch from Sacramento legislators. The bill will add another city to the speed camera pilot program. The number of cities that would be allowed to run this pilot program was negotiated in good faith, but now, before the pilot program has even started, they want to add more cities.
What's the big deal about one more city? If you vote to allow this expansion now, you know they will keep adding more and more cities, eventually blanketing the entire state with ticketing cameras.
We have to be able to trust our elected officials that when the terms of a bill are negotiated, they won't come back the next year trying to make changes. SB-1297 should be opposed for this reason alone.
Speed cameras don't just target dangerous speeders. The vast majority of folks who get speed camera tickets are simply traveling at the speed that the roadway design encourages, and they're not putting anyone in danger. The camera programs are designed this way because there's not enough excessive speeders to make the cameras profitable.
Also, Caltrans is in the process of making safety improvements along PCH. Those improvements should be allowed to work before we consider additional enforcement measures. The solution is better engineered roadways, not more ticketing cameras that will primarily harm those least able to pay these tickets!
Vote NO on SB-1297!
