Even Big Brother Doesn’t Like Big Brother
Several legislators criticized the use of cameras to issue traffic tickets Wednesday during a hearing on whether state laws should be revised to put more restrictions on the practice.
Representatives of police departments in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Gallatin told the House Transportation Committee that traffic cameras are reducing accidents and saving lives. But they faced sometimes critical questioning and comments from the lawmakers.
Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, said private companies operating the systems are “making money had over fist” while “intimidating the daylights out of our citizens – particularly the elderly.”
Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, said after Wednesday’s meeting that he opposes “privatizing fines for profit” and suggested consideration of a law to require that companies only receive payment for services rather than splitting revenue with cities, as is now the case in Knoxville and other municipalities.
