Cameras on patrol for Labor Day drivers

— -- Venturing out onto the roadways this Labor Day weekend? Consider yourself warned.

The National Motorists Association, a drivers' rights advocate group, has released a list of locales that generate an inordinate amount of revenue from traffic violations.

The liberal use of traffic cameras rather than speed traps is what landed most of the regions on this year's Labor Day list. The compilation is based on the amount of backlash against traffic enforcement laws in the respective communities, and on the dollar amount made from traffic violations, says association executive director Gary Biller.

The motorists association is all for traffic safety, Biller adds, but it objects to camera enforcement "because it promotes people acquiescing more easily. We advocate standing up for your rights."

Among the places where the association says motorists should be extra vigilant:

•Chicago. The city has more than 140 traffic cameras and shorter-than-average yellow lights, which lead to more red-light violations. "If it were safety-related, they'd lengthen yellow-light times," Biller says.

•Chillicothe and Heath, Ohio. The former has no appeals system for those nabbed on camera, referring them to the camera manufacturer. Heath, population 8,800, issued 10,000 tickets in four weeks after setting up cameras this summer, Biller says.

•Los Angeles. Of 30,000 red-light violations caught on camera last year, about 80% were right turns on red, which, Biller says, have little or no safety effect.

•Duncanville, Texas. The city of 38,500 mailed out more than 43,000 red-light camera tickets last year — most of which were for not coming to a complete stop before turning right.

•Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. Both cities have expanded their camera enforcement of speed. Last year, Scottsdale issued $17 million in automated tickets.

•Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is "overrun" with traffic cameras, including some mounted on street sweepers.