The Iowa Senate Tuesday passed a bill to ban traffic cameras in the state, with mostly Republicans voting in favor of the measure.
Democrats offered several amendments that would allow traffic cameras when justified by data, and allow speed cameras near schools and road construction zones.
Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), the bill’s author, urged his Republican colleagues to vote down the amendments because he says they would change the intent of the bill. Zaun says traffic cameras violate the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“It is not fair and it’s against the constitution and the way we’ve set up our constitution—the way our founding fathers set up this constitution—where you are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Zaun says.
Sen. Tony Bisignano (D-Des Moines) accused Republicans of ignoring safety concerns near dangerous intersections, schools and construction zones.
“Because if you knew the facts, and you knew the statistics, you’d be opposing this ban,” Bisignano said. “And you would allow local control, local police to do their own public safety.”
The bill moves to the House. It’s considering its own ban on traffic cameras, as well as a bill that would put regulations on traffic cameras.
