OOIDA Call to Action - Georgia Members
April 3, 2007

Attention: Georgia truckers. A bill that would have originally stripped away the ability of cities and counties to use automated cameras to ticket drivers has changed. Now HB77 only amends how automated cameras can be used to ticket drivers. Please take time now to speak out against this revenue generating mechanism.

Sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, HB77 would demand that a traffic engineering study be completed before a county or municipality can operate a traffic control signal-monitoring device. The bill also would require that a certified peace officer must swear to a traffic light violation.

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

Supporters of photo-red enforcement say it encourages compliance with the law and saves lives by reducing collisions. But whether it is the local jurisdiction, or the manufacturer, the motivation of every player in this deal is economics. 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.

HB77 passed the House and now is in the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Contact committee members now to voice your concerns about photo enforcement. Committee member’s information is listed below.

Sen. Jim Whitehead, Chairman
Phone: (404) 656-5114
E-mail: jim.whitehead@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Jeff Mullis, Vice Chairman
Phone: (404) 656-0057
E-mail: jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Jeff Chapman, Secretary
Phone: (404) 656-0045
E-mail: jeff.chapman@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Gloria S. Butler
Phone: (404) 656-0075
E-mail: gloria.butler@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Joseph Carter
Phone: (404) 651-7738
E-mail: joseph.carter@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Gail Davenport
Phone: (404) 656-7586
E-mail: gail.davenport@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Johnny Grant
Phone: (404) 656-0082
E-mail: johnny.grant@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Emanuel Jones
Phone: (404) 656-0502
E-mail: emanuel.jones@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Valencia Seay
Phone: (404) 656-5095
E-mail: valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov