While the new statewide gas tax went into effect on Monday, there are more rules in the transportation budget that go into effect July 3. Restrictions on red light cameras are among them.
The new restriction deducts, dollar for dollar, from local government funds any amount raised by cities from red light camera fines. State Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miami) supports the new restriction.
“This is to ensure that these cities are not policing for profit, that they are not using red light cameras as a source of revenue for pet projects but rather for safety, as many of them say they are using it for," Antani says.
The Ohio legislature has been trying for years to crack down on cities using red light cameras. The Ohio Supreme Court in 2017 struck down a state law that required a police officer be present at such cameras, calling it unconstitutional, but the next year ruled that Ohio can cut funding to communities that use them.
Local governments have threatened to sue again over the new rules, arguing that the cameras make streets and intersections safer. Recent research found they actually do little to reduce accidents, though, and may actually make drivers more likely to brake suddenly.
Another new traffic-related law affects skateboarders. It is now illegal for them to hold onto the back of a moving car while riding on their boards.
