Shreveport's Speed Camera Debate: Safety vs. Public Outcry

SHREVEPORT, LA - The plan to install speed cameras in Shreveport is on hold until after the legislative session. Mayor Tom Arceneaux tells KEEL News some lawmakers have been talking about banning the use of such cameras and he wants to wait to see if such a measure passes before putting out new cameras.

The Shreveport City Council voted 4-3 to install as many as 12 speed enforcement cameras at locations around the city. The locations were selected based on speeding problems in those areas.

Shreveport already has a deal with Blue Line Solutions for school zone speed cameras and that program had a bumpy start with hundreds of complaints. But the Mayor and Police Chief Wayne Smith says these cameras have cut down speeding in the school zones where they are up and going.

But speed cameras are very unpopular. In fact, eight states have laws in place banning the use of speed cameras.

What States Have Banned Speed Cameras?

Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin do not allow the use of any kind of speed cameras.

But studies do show the use of the cameras does have a positive effect on traffic safety. Data from the Insurance Institute says removing red-light cameras from intersections costs lives. The data shows crash rates jumped by more than 10% after cameras were removed.

A AAA study shows only 44% of Americans support speed cameras. A big concern mentioned is that these automated efforts are seen as a "money grab".

How Do the Speed Cameras Work?

These cameras use radar or lidar to check out your speed. If you are going faster than the posted speed limit, you will get a ticket in the mail. Most of the systems are tweaked so you have to be going at least 10 mph over the speed limit before you are cited.

Speed cameras are in place in at least 18 states and that list continues to grow.