Georgia lawmakers have put up a road block for local governments looking to install more red-light cameras, but city of Rome officials don’t think it will stop them from installing another.
The House voted 136-24 Friday to give final approval to the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, which now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue.
The plan would require local governments to first apply to the state Department of Transportation to install red light cameras.
It would also require governments to complete an engineering study to see if there’s another way to reduce traffic violations and wrecks before installing the cameras.
City Manager John Bennett said that he supports the changes to the bill and said the city of Rome is in compliance with the requirements.
Supporters say it would force governments to prove that the cameras are needed to prevent serious accidents at a particular intersection, not just to bring in extra cash.
“It will prevent the possible misuse of red-light cameras that people have been worrying about,” said Bennett. “It makes sense.”
The city already has a red-light camera at Hicks Drive and Turner McCall Boulevard and plans to install the next one on Veterans Memorial Highway and Martha Berry Boulevard.
Revenue collected at Hicks Drives has risen from $172,094 in 2005 to $205,431 in 2007. The fine for running the light is $70.
Rome Police Department statistics show accidents around the Hicks Drive intersection increased after the light was installed.
The city, however, released an analysis last week showing a reduction in the accident rate within the specific area covered by the camera.
Click here for a city analysis of the results of Rome’s red-light camera.
Click here for a previous story about the city approving a second red-light camera.
