Des Moines Radio: Talker Streams Traffic Court

Simon Conway At Traffic Hearing

The debate in Iowa over automated traffic cameras has centered on safety versus profit, but radio talker Simon Conway calls the cameras a moneymaking speed trap is getting a lot of entertainment value out of a $75 speeding ticket he received this summer.

Conway, who talks politics and more on WHO 1040 AM in Des Moines and WMT 600 AM in Cedar Rapids, took his audience along via smartphone camera as he fought a ticket for going 67 in a 55 mph zone on Interstate 380.

“I am religious about cruise control,” Conway said during his hearing, which he live broadcast to his audience using his smartphone.

“When I am going through the cameras here in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines on 235, I always use my cruise control so I don’t give you people a dime. I didn’t do it. Your machine is wrong.”

The Gazette reports Conway, who has criticized traffic cameras for years on his programs and testified before a legislative subcommittee, called for his audience to show up at the hearing this week. Three did.

He claimed the proceedings were done in secret before a “kangaroo court” and he wanted people to see how his due process rights were being trampled.

Conway and his attorney questioned camera calibration, due process of the hearing and the lawfulness of the program. But Conway couldn’t say at what speed his cruise control was set, although he said it was “substantially” below 67 mph.

The camera is calibrated to snap a picture and issue a ticket at 12 mph over the limit with a 1 mph margin of error.

The hearing officer ruled Conway liable.  He hasn’t decided whether he will appeal to court.