Traffic cams that could track blocking the intersection passes in Senate
Feb 19, 2020, 12:32 PM
Lawmakers are pushing for an expansion of traffic camera enforcement in downtown Seattle. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, file)
(AP Photo/Sang Tan, file)
Traffic cameras that could bust you for blocking an intersection in Seattle were passed by the state Senate on Tuesday night.
The cameras would also issue tickets for illegally using transit-only lanes. Senate Bill 5789 was passed by majority Democrats, with no Republican votes in favor.
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Yakima Republican Curtis King says the cameras won’t be fair, because downtown streets are so confusing.
“You don’t know whether you’re in a bike lane, a bus lane, or a taxi lane, or a Lyft lane or whatever,” he said.
King also believes pedestrians play a role in the congestion.
“They [pedestrians] impact the people who want to turn right or left depending upon what they need to do, but we’re not going to say a word about them.”
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Right now, traffic cameras can only be used at Seattle stoplights, railroad crossings, and school zones.
The bill now moves on to the House of Representatives.
