As of 2011, California and Arkansas are the only U.S. states that have operable stop sign cameras. California's stop sign cameras were not installed by the state after their legality was called into question. They also operate in conjunction with road sensors that activate the cameras should a driver approach a stop sign at 7 mph. Arkansas' stop sign cameras are fully legal and were installed onto school buses to capture drivers who do not stop for school bus stop signs.
In-state Locations
The Washington Post reported that traffic cameras in California were placed on stop signs in open-air areas where drivers would least expect them. Many state residents have complained to news crews that they believe the cameras are both a form of entrapment and greedy revenue generation. Each violation amounts to a $175 fee. As of October 2010, seven cameras were placed in several parks of the Santa Monica mountains, including the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, Hollywood Bowl Scenic Overlook, Top of Topanga Overlook, Temescal Gateway Park and Franklin Canyon Park.
California Jurisdiction Dispute
As of May 31, 2010, stop sign cameras in the Santa Monica mountains generated approximately $2 million dollars in revenue over an 18-month time frame. Traffic fees were collected by California's Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. On December 14, 2010, a Los Angeles superior court judge ruled that the authority may be in violation of the California Vehicle Code as it never received permission from the state to implement the cameras in 2007.
Justification
The California Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority justifies placing up stop sign cameras with the need to protect pedestrians. It claims that the cameras were installed in areas with high pedestrian traffic where drivers who don't obey stop signs can easily hit joggers, hikers and bikers in the park trails. Authority spokeswoman Dash Stolarz explains that while the parks are made up of 60,000 acres of land, the agency had 23 rangers as of October 2010. Violation funds are used to support park fire protection, ranger patrol and search and rescue efforts.
Child Protection
Arkansas' stop sign cameras were installed in 2010 by the state onto school buses in an interest of protecting children boarding and dismounting the buses. The cameras, funded by a $150,000 grant, were allocated to Gravette, Rogers, Fayettville and Bentonville school districts. Justification of the school bus cameras is based on a one-day study that revealed nearly 200 violations in three school districts. Further, the cameras were instituted to assist school bus drivers who have the primary responsibility of reporting violators.
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