LANSING (WWJ) -- A proposed bill in state legislature looks to make red light cameras obsolete in Michigan after one senator argued they double-cross Sixth Amendment rights.
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Legislation to ban traffic cameras was brought before state politicians by Senator Lana Theis on Wednesday. Theis said the bill was in response to federal infrastructure funds by the Biden Administration that would make it possible for the state to install equipment at intersections that would automatically ticket Michigan drivers.
The traffic equipment is traditionally installed on traffic lights and snap photos of vehicles who travel through the intersection when the light is red. A ticket is then automatically sent to the home of the person who is registered under the vehicle's license plate.
Theis explained to WWJ's Amber McDonald that red light cameras violate the rights of Michiganders and takes away their ability to confront the witness against them, as protected by the Sixth Amendment.
"What we've done historically -- always -- is... when people ran the red light they would get a ticket from their accuser, therefore not violating their constitutional rights and it was seeing who the driver was, here in the car," Theis said.
Red light cameras take away that ability, Theis argued. She also stated that she wasn't too keen on the federal government telling the state where funds should be allocated.
The Michigan State Police confirmed that Michigan does not currently use automated enforcement cameras anywhere in the state.
The proposed bill now waits on a committee for consideration.
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