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Supreme Court upholds Sioux City speeding camera ordinance

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February 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the right of cities to use automated cameras to catch speeding motorists. A Sioux Center attorney challenged Sioux City’s 2011 ordinance establishing the use of cameras to catch speeders. Michael Jacobsma’s car was caught on camera going 67 miles an hour on Interstate 29 where the speed limit is 55.

He launched three constitutional challenges to the ordinance. He claims the ordinance is an unreasonable exercise of police power, violates due process rights of car owners and violates a limited home rule provision that says city ordinances cannot conflict with state laws. The court rejected all three arguments Friday and upheld Jacobsma’s fine.