A committee of the Iowa Senate is scheduled to vote next week on a bill that would ban automated traffic cameras in Iowa.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up SSB 3025m which would make any local or county ordinance authorizing the use of traffic cameras for traffic enforcement void.
2018 is the year that opponents of the "robo-cams" hope they can pass the ban in the legislature. Last year, the Iowa Senate rejected similar legislation put forward by Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale).
There is a companion bill making its way through the Iowa House as well. Ban supporters say that increases the chance of it becoming law.
Police in several communities still say that the traffic cameras continue to make streets and highways safer. However, the Iowa DOT has ordered Des Moines and Cedar Rapids to take down their cameras from interstate highways, saying the cities haven't tried other means to slow down drivers first.