Red Light Cameras Not Unconstitutional in Missouri

A Missouri State Appeals Court upheld the use of red light cameras to ticket vehicle owners.  The cameras are affixed to stoplights, so that when a red light is run, the camera takes a picture of the offending car.

The plaintiff in the case,  Mary Nottebrok, received a $100 ticket, for running a red light in August of 2009. In addition to challenging the part of the law that does not relate to accruing points for moving violations, she also claimed that the law violated her due process rights, in that it imposes liability on the vehicle’s owner, rather than the driver.

Other traffic laws similarly impose liability on vehicle owners for violations. The court upheld the ability of the state to impose such liability, however “unfair” it may seem. The effect of the decision basically means that car owners who do not wish to received tickets that they do not personally incur will be advised not to loan their car to anyone.

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