OOIDA Call to Action - Georgia Members
February 13, 2007

Attention: Georgia truckers! It is imperative that you take time now to contact members of the House Committee on Motor Vehicles about a bill that would strip away the ability of cities and counties to use automated cameras to ticket drivers. You have an opportunity to support this bill and speak out against this revenue generating mechanism.

The cameras snap pictures of red-light runners or speeders' vehicle tags. A ticket for as much as $70 is mailed to each vehicle's owner, regardless who was driving at the time.

Sponsored by Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, HB77 would repeal a six-year-old Georgia law relating to traffic signal monitoring devices. The more than 20 cities and counties across the state that have since posted the cameras would be required to take them down.

Supporters of photo-red enforcement say it encourages compliance with the law and saves lives by reducing collisions. But do not be fooled. A study paid for by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed rear-end crashes actually increased in cities with red-light cameras, as motorists stopped abruptly at yellow lights to avoid tickets. Red-light cameras have nothing to do with safety. The motivation of every player in this deal is economics. Whether it is the local jurisdiction or the manufacturer, there is no reasonable justification for posting these cameras.

Please take time now to contact members of the House Committee on Motor Vehicles about your concerns on this issue. Member e-mails are listed below.

Committee Chairman
Rep. Tom Rice
tqgrice@aol.com

Committee Vice-Chairman
Rep. Matt Dollar
matt.dollar@house.ga.gov

Committee members
Rep. Timothy Bearden
tim.bearden@house.ga.gov

Rep. Roger Bruce
rbruce5347@aol.com

Rep. Butch Parrish
butch.parrish@house.ga.gov

Rep. Alan Powell
alanpowell23@hotmail.com

Rep. John P. Yates
john.yates@house.ga.gov

Rep. Terry Johnson
terryjohnson@cobb.net