Some states and cities are citing personal liberty and constitutional rights to oppose automated traffic enforcement and other road safety measures.

With traffic fatalities on the rise in many states, it would seem natural for state leaders to tap into the $15 billion in federal funding available for road safety projects. But 'liberty politics' could hinder efforts to improve traffic safety, writes Matthew Brown, as illustrated by this quote from a Utah resident: "This country was founded on freedom and liberty, this country was not founded for safety or security," said Dalane England, adding that "People are going to die if we drive automobiles."
For example, while the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends automated traffic enforcement, only 16 states have speed camera programs, and six states explicitly prohibit both speed cameras and red light cameras. Utah, for example, banned red-light cameras in the 1990s. "While local leaders, law enforcement and some residents argued at the time that the technology would save lives, opponents won the day by framing the issue around personal liberty." More recently, Florida governor Ron DeSantis expressed a similar sentiment about proposed speed cameras in his state.
"Those arguments may surface again as states and localities decide how they want to use their share of funding set aside for road safety measures," writes Brown. "Federal guidance also requires at least 15% of a state’s highway safety improvement program funding targets pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized road users if those groups make up 15% or more of the state’s crash fatalities."
FULL STORY: How personal liberty politics could prevent states from addressing traffic fatalities

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie