Will Ujek

WKYC-TV, Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Voters in this city of almost 400,000 have made it overwhelmingly clear: They don't want traffic cameras ticketing drivers here.

Issue 35's supporters said the cameras were little more than money-making speed traps that deprive drivers of basic rights, and on Tuesday 78% of voters agreed with them.

The passage means the tickets stop immediately.

The cameras raised about $6 million in 2012, a number that has been shrinking every year. The revenue accounted for about 1% of the city's budget.

But supporters of the cameras argued that they made streets safer and reel in heavy-footed drivers because Cleveland doesn't have enough police officers to devote to full-time traffic duty.

When the cameras will be removed will be determined in the city's negotiations with Xerox, the company that operates them.

Voters in the Cleveland suburb of Maple Heights, population 23,000, also voted to remove the cameras.

Twelve states, including Ohio; the District of Columbia; and the U.S. Virgin islands have speed cameras in at least one location, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which supports the cameras. Two dozen states, including Ohio; the district; and U.S. Virgin Islands have red light cameras in at least one spot.

Contributing: The Associated Press