March 05, 2018 - 8:59 AM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Latest on a Rhode Island court flooded with people contesting tickets after a new school zone speed camera program resulted in 12,000 tickets in 33 days. (all times local):
11:45 a.m.
A Rhode Island lawmaker says he has introduced legislation to end the use of traffic cameras, as thousands of people in Providence were contesting tickets they received from a new school zone speed camera program that issued 12,000 citations in its first month.
Republican Rep. Anthony Giarrusso, of East Greenwich, says legislation he introduced last week would eliminate all red-light and speed cameras. He calls the cameras a "government cash grab" and says the tickets are unfair because they go to the car's registered owner, rather than the person driving the car.
The city of Providence issued 12,193 tickets in 33 days from five new speed cameras. Each cost $95. Hundreds of people flooded municipal court Monday to contest their tickets.
A city councilwoman has called for better community education before more are installed.
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10:30 a.m.
A Rhode Island court has been flooded with people contesting speeding tickets after a new school zone speed camera program resulted in 12,000 tickets in 33 days.
WPRI-TV reports more than 2,600 tickets were on the docket Monday at Providence Municipal Court, which usually has about 300 people on the daily docket. The courtroom holds 90 people.
A court spokesperson says not everyone is expected to show up. Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Pare (PAYR'-ee) says they're working to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The station reported last week that the city issued 12,193 tickets between Jan. 16 and Feb. 22 from five new speed cameras. The tickets cost $95 each and can be issued when a vehicle is caught travelling at least 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit at certain times.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018