BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Common Council voted 6 to 3 Tuesday to ban school zone speed cameras, unless the superintendent or a principal requests it in "unique circumstances" and the council approves it.
The biggest complaint from those who drive in the school zones where there are cameras is that the fine is $50 and the speed limit is only 15 mph. Anyone going 10 miles or more over the 15 mph limit is ticketed.
Mayor Byron Brown contended last month that the council didn't follow proper procedure, so he didn't sign or veto the measure.
The mayor will now have 10 days to decide whether to veto it or not. If he does veto it, the council would need six votes to override him.
“Our goal has been to eliminate the school zone cameras along with the $50 fines that have affected so many people over the past few months,” said University District Council Member Rasheed Wyatt. “This amendment aims to make that goal a reality by September 1st.”
Besides removing the cameras, the measure will also raise the school speed limit to 20 miles per hour and add other measures to slow people down like speed humps and radar speed signs.
All of it is set to take effect by the start of September 1.