Could Automated Enforcement Help Reduce Speeding and Crashes in Cleveland Neighborhoods?
Cleveland voters banned traffic cameras in 2014, calling them a “cash grab.” But now, more than a decade later, Cleveland.com reports City Council members are considering whether it’s time to revisit the issue—not for revenue, but to crack down on the surge in reckless driving.
At Merriman Legal, LLC, we’ve seen the devastating impact that high-speed crashes and red-light violations have on innocent people and families across Ohio. As car accident lawyers who care deeply about Cleveland’s communities, we believe this is a discussion worth having.
Here’s what’s happening, and what it could mean for public safety.
A History of Distrust: Why Cleveland Banned Traffic Cameras
Cleveland’s first traffic cameras were installed in 2005. The goal was to automatically ticket drivers caught speeding or running red lights, particularly in school zones and busy intersections.
But the rollout was rocky. The program generated millions of dollars in fines, most of which were funneled to out-of-state vendors who operated the cameras. Many residents felt the system prioritized revenue over safety.
By 2014, public frustration boiled over. Voters passed a charter amendment requiring a police officer to be present at the scene of any traffic camera citation, effectively banning automated enforcement.
At the time, critics pointed to a lack of due process, unfair targeting, and unreasonably low speed limits where cameras were installed. What started as a safety tool quickly lost public trust.
Fast Forward to 2025: Safety Concerns Reach a Boiling Point
Today, Cleveland neighborhoods are facing a new traffic crisis: an epidemic of reckless driving, speeding, and red-light running.
The Council President says traffic enforcement is the number-one complaint he hears from residents. Other Council members have expressed interest in exploring ways to bring back traffic cameras; not to fill budget gaps, but to save lives.
“There’s enough data out there that shows that traffic cameras are a tool in the toolbox to improve traffic safety for everybody,” said Jacob VanSickle, executive director of Bike Cleveland, in support of the idea.
In fact, research from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that fixed cameras can reduce overall crashes by 54% and injury crashes by 47%.
What’s Changed, and What Hasn’t
Reviving traffic cameras in Cleveland won’t be easy. The current city charter still prohibits camera enforcement without an officer present. That means voters would have to approve another amendment and reverse the one they passed in 2014.
There are also state-level obstacles. Ohio law penalizes cities that use automated traffic enforcement by reducing state funding, dollar-for-dollar, based on camera-generated fines. Cities also have to pay court costs upfront and can’t shift those fees to ticketed drivers, even if the driver is found guilty.
The only exception? School zones. Ohio allows automated enforcement in school zones without the same financial penalties. That makes these areas the most viable starting point if Cleveland wants to take action now.
Public Safety vs. Public Perception
If Cleveland wants to bring back cameras, city leaders will need to walk a fine line between building community trust and taking decisive action.
To regain support, any new camera program would likely need:
- Transparent placement criteria (e.g., high-crash areas, school zones)
- Fair enforcement standards (e.g., grace thresholds over speed limits)
- Clear communication with residents about safety goals, not revenue
- Oversight measures to ensure due process and accountability
Cleveland State University Professor Ronnie Dunn has also emphasized that cameras can reduce racial bias in traffic enforcement. Since cameras don’t discriminate, they may offer a more equitable way to enforce traffic laws, especially in neighborhoods that have historically faced over-policing.
Why Merriman Legal Supports Solutions That Save Lives
Whether it’s cameras, speed bumps, or better traffic design, Cleveland must take bold steps to prevent crashes before they happen. At Merriman Legal, LLC, we’ve represented too many clients whose lives were turned upside down because someone made the reckless decision to speed, ignore a red light, or pass through a school zone without caution.
Attorney Tom Merriman knows how quickly a serious crash can change a family’s life, because it happened to his own daughter. That’s why he and the entire team are passionate about creating a safer Cleveland for everyone, especially kids, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
A Rapid Response to a Growing Problem
One of the things that sets Merriman Legal apart is our Rapid Response Team. We act quickly after a crash to secure evidence, identify camera footage, and hold reckless drivers accountable.
If Cleveland reintroduces traffic cameras, our Rapid Response Team will be ready to leverage that footage in cases where it can support injury victims and prove liability. But more importantly, we hope that visible enforcement—automated or not—will reduce the number of crashes altogether.
Because while we’re proud to fight for justice after an accident, we’d rather live in a city where fewer families ever need our help in the first place.
Contact Merriman Legal After a Serious Crash
Traffic cameras aren’t a cure-all. But when used responsibly, they can be a powerful tool to deter dangerous driving behaviors and prevent serious crashes.
Cleveland’s leaders now have the opportunity to bring this conversation back to the community with a new purpose, clearer safeguards, and a focus on safety, not profit.
As attorneys who stand up for crash victims across Ohio, Merriman Legal will continue to support measures that protect lives and prevent injuries.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a reckless driver, contact us today for a free consultation. Make my team your team—and let us help you move forward.
"Tom and his team are absolutely fantastic. I had a tragic event occur, and they went above and beyond to make this the easiest that it could be. I so appreciate everything they have done for me. I would 100% recommend calling them for a consultation if you are in need of a lawyer that puts forth the effort. This team makes you feel like family." - Diane G., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
