Tennessee County Officials to Reconsider Speed Detection Lasers

A decision by Hamilton County officials to approve the purchase of two speed detection lasers equipped with cameras has gotten so much public backlash that the panel plans to hold another vote on the issue.

Hamilton County Commissioner Marty Haynes told The Chattanooga Times Free Press that a revote would come next week and would likely have a different outcome.

Commissioners voted 5-4 last Wednesday in favor of purchasing the devices, which would allow sheriff’s deputies to send speeding tickets to drivers without pulling them over.

The vote came during a combined agenda and voting session, which meant the public learned about the issue shortly before the meeting began.

Three commissioners who voted for the measure say they changed their minds after hearing from residents who were against it.