Washington State Speed and Intersection Cameras to Stay

Sad day for Washington State motorists who would have loved to see both speed and intersection cameras be gone from the poles: an US District Judge from the Western District of Washington decided to rule against three separate challenges to the use of safety cameras made by more 40 people who received tickets due to the cameras.

American Traffic Solutions, the manufacturer of the road safety cameras was very pleased to hear the ruling, calling it “yet another validation of the legality of safety cameras."

"Across the country, courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality and use of safety cameras. ATS will continue to work with states and municipalities to bring life-saving technology to communities to protect motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists,” George Hittner ATS vice president said in a statement.

As said, the Judge ruled against the plaintiffs on Tuesday. The plaintiffs were arguing that explaining the infraction forms were not treated in the same manner as parking tickets, but the court disagreed.

He argued that state law allows for differences in how the form of parking tickets and safety camera tickets are developed. In addition, the complaint that the fees associated with the violations were unreasonable, the court found "that state law grants municipalities flexibility in determining fine levels, and that the fines are not excessive.”

The recent ruling applies to locations in no less than 18 cities across the state of Washington: Auburn, Bellevue, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Burien, Federal Way, Fife, Issaquah, Lacey, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Puyallup, Renton, Seatac, Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma.