Poised for comeback: Use of speed cameras now banned in Cincinnati

It's an idea once thought to be so unappealing, it was banned by an amendment to the city charter, but now, it’s gaining traction, and residents are likely to vote on whether they want to see speed cameras on Cincinnati streets.“They can, in specific areas like school zones, rec centers, where kids are, they can slow people down if we can get a change to the charter,” said Cincinnati City Councilman Greg Landsman.Landsman said he’s seeing more support for speed cameras in certain areas as the city deals with a high number of pedestrians being hit by vehicles.“We are seeing at least one person hit a day in the city of Cincinnati,” Landsman said.A change to the city charter would require the issue to be placed on the ballot.“Ultimately, something like this really does require voters to decide for themselves if they want to see this change,” Landsman said.The way the charter is written now, an officer must operate the camera and write the ticket to the driver. The idea proposed for the change is that the officer would still operate the camera but could automatically send the ticket to the driver without making a traffic stop.If there’s enough support, the issue could be on the ballot next year.

It's an idea once thought to be so unappealing, it was banned by an amendment to the city charter, but now, it’s gaining traction, and residents are likely to vote on whether they want to see speed cameras on Cincinnati streets.

“They can, in specific areas like school zones, rec centers, where kids are, they can slow people down if we can get a change to the charter,” said Cincinnati City Councilman Greg Landsman.


Landsman said he’s seeing more support for speed cameras in certain areas as the city deals with a high number of pedestrians being hit by vehicles.

“We are seeing at least one person hit a day in the city of Cincinnati,” Landsman said.

A change to the city charter would require the issue to be placed on the ballot.

“Ultimately, something like this really does require voters to decide for themselves if they want to see this change,” Landsman said.

The way the charter is written now, an officer must operate the camera and write the ticket to the driver. The idea proposed for the change is that the officer would still operate the camera but could automatically send the ticket to the driver without making a traffic stop.

If there’s enough support, the issue could be on the ballot next year.