Arizona started using cameras to fine speeders on its public highways in October 2008. When the cameras spot someone driving more than 11 miles per hour over the speed limit, a photo is taken and sent along with a $181.50 ticket to the vehicle owner.

Traffic cameras, like the ones under attack in Arizona, are capable of issuing tickets without the trouble of forcing speeders to stop or even slow down.

Despite the free photo shoot, Arizonans who have been sent tickets are less than thrilled about the speed cameras. According to Autoblog, only 38 percent of all tickets issued so far by the photo enforcement cameras have been paid. The program was projected to bring in $80 million in its first year. Instead, it has only raised about $20 million for the state.

There are so many Arizona drivers who were issued tickets by the automated system and are fighting the validity of their tickets that the wait for a court date has stretched into 2011. One judge has thrown out every one of the 7,000 camera-issued speeding tickets he’s presided over because he believes the cameras are unconstitutional.

Other Arizonans have taken matters into their own hands. The speed cameras have been covered by post-it notes, silly string and even wrapped up like Christmas presents, bow and all. One angry gentleman attacked a camera with a pick-axe.

The public outcry has not been ignored. Governor Jan Brewer is encouraging the state’s legislators to allow citizens to vote on the speed cameras in November. If the public is allowed to decide the fate of the speed camera system, it’s a pretty good bet that the automated system will be abandoned. Then the public will have won and democracy will triumph and Arizona will have to go back to taxing speeders with state police and highway patrol officers like the rest of the country does.

Picture via Edmunds.