State appeals court upholds Ohio camera law requiring police

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A state appellate court has rejected a western Ohio city’s challenge to restrictions on traffic camera enforcement that include requiring a police officer to be present.

Springfield is among several cities challenging the law passed last year by state legislators, claiming it violates their authority to enforce local traffic laws. The city has now lost rulings in Clark County and the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Dayton.

The Springfield News-Sun reports city officials say they plan to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, and could join with Dayton in that nearby city’s appeal to the state’s highest court.

The state Supreme Court has twice upheld municipalities’ authority to use automated camera enforcement. Some communities are working around the new restrictions by equipping officers with hand-held cameras.