Money Makes the Tickets Go Round?

People often complain that cities issue traffic tickets or set up red-light cameras for revenue rather than public safety. Many officials deny that is the case. But in a story in today's St. Petersburg Times, a city council member in Clearwater, Florida, seems to be saying his city is in it for the dough.

Because of 2004 state legislation, tens of millions of dollars in drunk-driving and criminal-traffic fines go to counties now instead of cities. This led Bill Jonson to say to a reporter, "In theory, we are going to still enforce DUI laws, but it does send a message that maybe it's not as important."

So the city is motivated by the cash, not the consequences? Drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and others. Seems like a good reason to stay vigilant. And not just in theory.