KTAR Radio
June 25, 2008

PHOENIX -- The budget passed by the Arizona Legislature late Thursday includes a plan to expand photo radar statewide, but to keep photo radar tickets off a driver's permanent record and just give them a fine.

The plan is meant to encourage drivers to pay their fines, a flat $165 per ticket. Lawmakers decided motorists would be more likely to pay if the tickets did not go on their records.
Ron Williams with the Arizona Insurance Council is not pleased with the idea.

"It means that, in essence, these people can commit this particular act over and over and over again, and these people who are repeat offenders in this way will have no other consequence to their particular driving habits," Williams said.

He said that puts public safety at risk.

"Basically, masking tickets or not having them appear on driving records, is important for public safety, simply because it allows the worst offenders to continue to drive on the roads," said Williams.

He said the plan is not fair to safe drivers because those caught by photo cams violating the laws will not face higher insurance rates, as they would if the tickets counted against points on their driver's licenses.