Behind The Readers' Forum: Traffic cameras deceive and exploit citizens

12/22/2017

In this week’s edition of Behind The Readers’ Forum, The Blade welcomes letter writer Gerald Mitchell to discuss his recent letter.

VIDEO: Gerald Mitchell discusses his recent letter on Toledo’s traffic cameras
View last week’s Behind The Readers’ Forum | View the entire Behind The Readers’ Forum series

Here is the text of Mr. Mitchell’s letter:

The city of Toledo has found it advantageous to deceive and exploit its citizens or those travelling through the city with its use of traffic cameras and should not be proud of it.

There is rarely a posted speed limit sign until after the cameras. I have stated to council members that preceding every camera — at least 100 feet before — should be a speed limit sign.

Secondly, the fines are excessive — at least $120 — and the language on the ticket is very threatening if the ticket is not paid. A ticket should be no more than $60. If one causes an accident while committing a violation, then I am in favor of stiffer fines.

Let’s stop bragging about the revenues being generated by exploiting and deceiving Toledo’s residents.

GERALD MITCHELL
Glencairn Avenue

Each week The Blade’s editorial board will pick a “letter of the week,” and the writer will be asked to come to The Blade to be interviewed for our Behind the Readers’ Forum feature, which appears on toledoblade.com and Blade NewsSlide.