Red light camera critic says state board quashing his free speech

http://www.oregonlive.com ^ | updated April 25, 2017 at 2:43 PM | By Maxine Bernstein

[BackRoads775]

A Beaverton man who has a bachelor of science degree in engineering and has repeatedly challenged Oregon's timing of yellow traffic lights as too short was investigated by a state board for "unlicensed practice of engineering'' and fined $500.

Now, Mats Järlström has joined with the national Institute for Justice to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against members of the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying.

[Alberta's Child]

I tend to be very cautious about how these things apply in my state. I've personally been involved in situations where I have rendered an opinion as a citizen on a matter that involves engineering issues. When submitting written documentation on these matters as a private citizen, I typically include a disclaimer such as the following:

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a licensed professional engineer in [State]. None of the information I've provided here is intended to serve as a professional opinion or professional representation on behalf of a client.

The purpose of this disclaimer is to let the recipient know that I am licensed to practice in this particular state without exposing myself to potential professional liability issues. The intended effect is to have the recipient of the correspondence know that I have a lot more credibility than the average layperson in the matter at hand even if I'm not rendering professional judgment on anyone's behalf.

[lastchance]

The disclosure is a very good idea and sadly necessary in a time when common sense has abdicated.

[Edward.Fish]

“No person other than a duly licensed engineer shall practice engineering or use the name or title of “licensed engineer,” “professional engineer,” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device tending to indicate that such person holds an active license as an engineer in this state.”

“No person... shall use the name licensed engineer.. or any other title...”

Where was he claiming to be a licensed engineer or a professional engineer?

Those are both radically different than saying I'm an engineer or I have a degree in engineering or even claiming a background or training/education in engineering.

[lastchance]

He didn’t and that was my point.

[Edward.Fish]

Ah, got you.
It seems we are both in agreement.