Niki Kelly
Sometimes it feels like the Indiana General Assembly is having the same discussions it had 20 years ago. And that’s because it is. Case in point: speed and red light cameras.
I sat in committee hearings in 2005 when Warsaw residents banded together to support the proposal. One local woman had been pushing the issue since 1997 after her daughter was killed by a red-light runner.
A former representative who opposed the red light cameras was finally on board after his mayor, chief of police and 70% of his survey responses supported it. But alas, the bill in question — a pilot program in 10 communities — still failed.
Here we are heading into 2025, ready to have the same discussion over again. That’s because Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey is advocating for lawmakers to authorize the cameras.
“Marion County has witnessed a troubling rise in traffic-related incidents,” Bailey wrote in an op-ed for the Indianapolis Star. “While our dedicated officers work tirelessly to keep our streets safe, we must acknowledge that traditional enforcement alone is not enough. We need to embrace technology as a crucial ally in our fight for public safety.”
Cameras take pictures of the license plate of any vehicle running a red light and a warning or fine is assessed to the owner of the vehicle. Cities or towns that use such cameras would also be required to post signs letting drivers know about the cameras.
I have to admit I simply don’t understand the resistance to a simple technology aid that would make streets safer. This isn’t a groundbreaking idea. Many states and communities have been using the cameras for decades. Similar technology works efficiently for collecting tolls on highways.
Complaints about privacy and government overreach came from the GOP-led Legislature on Indiana’s first foray into camera traffic enforcement: catching cars for speeding in work zones. It took years to get it across the finish line in the General Assembly.
It’s amazing the number of years we have spent haggling over the due process rights of the car owners. What if my son is driving the car and I get the ticket? Teach your son better and make him pay the ticket. What if my car was stolen? File a police report for your stolen car and contest the ticket.
In the best of worlds, there would be enough police officers to adequately cover the city and give tickets for transgressions like this. But there simply aren’t. Police forces all around the state and nation are struggling to replace retiring officers.
Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, recently sent a letter to constituents saying that the proposal addresses a pressing issue but also raises critical questions.
“When introducing technology that monitors the public, we must proceed with caution,” he wrote. “Who will have access to the video data and information collected? How will it be stored, and what safeguards will be in place to prevent misuse? Transparency and accountability are essential to ensure the community’s trust.”
Freeman goes on to discuss the officer shortage. And, of course, recruiting and retaining officers should also be a priority. But why can’t we do both at once?
“Before implementing red light and speed cameras, we need a comprehensive study to evaluate their effectiveness in cities with similar challenges,” he continued. “Concrete data on cameras’ impact on safety, privacy concerns, and cost-effectiveness must guide our decision-making process. Rushing to adopt such measures without thoroughly understanding their implications would be short-sighted.”
Rushing to adopt? As I mentioned earlier, this issue has been hanging around for more than 20 years.
And there’s already research out there.
One federal study shows red-light cameras provide a modest aggregate crash-cost benefit. It notes that this benefit can be increased through careful site selection, like choosing areas prone to dangerous t-bone crashes.
“I would like to test these to see if we see some change in behavior,” Bailey told Fox59. “And I think we can do that in our school zones. I think we can all agree that protecting our children should be at the top of our priority list.”
The Indiana Department of Transportation has been testing out speed cameras in a busy Hancock County construction zone since August. The agency is targeting people driving over the speed limit by more than 11 miles per hour.
Fox59 reported early data shows drivers decreased speeds by an average of six miles per hour when signage was up, and the cameras were present.
Let’s not wait another 20 years to at least pilot this system to protect Hoosier drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Niki Kelly is editor-in-chief of indianacapitalchronicle.com, where this commentary previously appeared. She has covered Indiana politics and the Indiana Statehouse since 1999 for publications including the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Send comments to editorial@threrepublic.com.
