Trials of 80mph motorway speed limits could start next year, the road safety minister said yesterday. Raising the limit to 80mph is still firmly on the Government’s agenda. There will be three trials of the higher speeds in different areas, and if successful they will be introduced across the country.

Red-light cameras and speed cameras will be used to prosecute vehicle owners for dozens of new offenses in Oregon if Governor John Kitzhaber (D) signs a measure that cleared the state legislature on Tuesday. The state House voted 53-6 and the Senate 22-8 to repeal an existing law that prohibits the use of photo radar or red-light camera photographs for the prosecution of anything other than a speeding or red light-related infraction.

The 2013 Bicycle Safety Ordinance got passed at last week’s Chicago City Council meeting increasing fines for traffic infractions on both drivers and bikers. The new law increases fines for bicycle riders from $25 for an infraction to $50 to as much as $200. But the ordinance also means heavier fines for motorists. Motorists who “door” a bike rider will see fines double from $500 to $1000 and increases the fine for opening a door into traffic to $300.

Signaling a possible mini-rebellion, Belmont has become the third Bay Area town since March to dump its red-light traffic camera program over doubts the devices make the streets any safer for drivers or pedestrians. Following the lead of Hayward and Redwood City, the Belmont City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday to can the cameras by the end of the month. Council members cited the confluence of a Chicago bribery scandal involving the cameras’ operator and lack of data showing whether the approximately $480 tickets for running red lights improved safety.

Florida drivers will no longer face tickets at intersections with red-light cameras if they come to a complete stop before making a right-hand turn. The new law, which takes effect July 1, precludes motorists from being cited for a right turn violation if they stop, even if it is beyond the stop line. Another provision will increase the time motorists have to deal with the initial notice of violation from 30 days to 60 days.

York Region officials are stressing the safety message, but critics of red-light camera enforcement programs call the technology a cash grab.

Taking on a government entity over access to information can be a David and Goliath feat. Fortunately, there are still a few Davids in the world. In this case, his name is Barnet Fagel who works for a group called the National Motorists Association, a 30-year-old group that sees itself as a watchdog for drivers.

In 2003, the city started to look at unpaid traffic violations dating back to 1980. Over the next two years, officials worked with a private collection agency to move nearly $4.5 million in unpaid fines into the agency’s hands. The city estimates that it’s owed about $13 million in unpaid traffic fines, which means there are about 65,000 tickets based on averages costs.

South Carolina may soon lead the way into the future with electronic license plates for cars and trucks. Using so-called electronic paper, technology similar to what is seen on digital readers like the Amazon Kindle, these new license plates would be capable of dynamically changing from normal numbers and letters to a word like SUSPENDED, UNINSURED or STOLEN.

A decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals has upheld St Louis’ use of red-light cameras and spared the city millions in refunds. The ruling reverses a previous court decision that had ruled the city ordinance as unconstitutional.  The court decision also gave a break to those who received tickets more than a year ago.