Louisiana Moves to Ban Speed Cameras, with Exceptions for Opelousas
Governor Landry is poised to sign Senate Bill 99, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at banning speed cameras across most of Louisiana. Authored by Sen. Stewart Cathey (R-Monroe), the bill arises from concerns over what Cathey calls “taxation by citation.” He asserts that the use of speed cameras is unjust and aims to eliminate this practice statewide, though it will remain in school zones.
Cathey noted that allowing cameras in school zones was a reasonable compromise, given the support for their use during school hours. However, the bill encountered a twist when an amendment, passed by a narrow vote in the House, exempted Opelousas from the ban. This amendment, though not explicitly naming the city, targets municipalities with specific population metrics, which aligns with Opelousas’s 2020 census figure of 15,390.
Local officials have expressed the need for speed cameras, citing insufficient police resources for traditional radar enforcement. Cathey has emphasized that he opposes any further exemptions, suggesting future legislation may address this particular issue. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic about the overall success of the bill, claiming he achieved "99% of what [he] wanted."
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