New fines are hitting this state if you are caught driving over the speed limit. Changes to road safety policies and legislation are constantly in flux in order to ensure the safety of road users, and policy changes account for the fast-changing realities of the road. Speeding is one of the main problems law enforcement and policy makers are constantly trying to eradicate, with speeding accounting for approximately one-third of total road accident fatalities in 2023, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
States crack down on speeding laws
In order to keep drivers adhering to the law and keeping the roads safe, many states are introducing stricter legislation and policies to discourage speeding. From higher fines to the risk of jail time, law enforcement is also starting to rely on automated technology to assist in enforcing these changing policies by catching drivers who are speeding when law enforcement is not physically present.
Automated technology to assist in catching drivers breaking the law is becoming increasingly popular across the nation. The state of Minneapolis, in particular, has begun to embrace this technology as part of its ‘Vision Zero’ initiative, a program that hopes to eradicate all serious road accidents and fatalities in the state. To assist, the state has begun to implement a pilot program that will see new speeding cameras set up across various locations in Minneapolis, with plans to expand the program after the initial piloting phase.
“With these traffic safety cameras, we’re making clear that speeding and reckless driving won’t be tolerated—especially near our schools and areas with lots of foot traffic,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a statement.
In addition to the new cameras set up, the state has also decided to tighten its fines.
$600,000 worth of fines in Connecticut already
Joining the likes of Minneapolis, cities across Connecticut have also begun to roll out their own automated camera technology programs. City of Middleton’s Police Department press release recently described how, as of the end of July, over $600,000 worth of fines have already been issued to speeding drivers since the city set up its speeding cameras in June of this year. All money collected from the fines will be used to go back to supporting road infrastructure.
Middleton is the first city in the state to see the technology being enforced. Fines began at $50, and every subsequent violation would amount to $75. Cities Greenwich, Hamden, New Haven, Stamford, Stratford, and Wethersfield will also soon see the technology implemented. On August 6, Middleton’s police department will be holding an open house for questions from residents regarding the technology.
Automated cameras and automated cars?
While automated cameras are just beginning to increase in prevalence, states are also needing to gear up to prepare for the arrival of fully automated driving technology. While automated driving technology is currently available on the road, it requires full supervision from a present driver. However, companies such as Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon are already beginning to pilot their full-automated driving programs to prepare for a future where a driver may no longer be needed for passenger vehicles.
In anticipation of this event, states have begun to enact legislation that is set to answer critical questions regarding the ethics and safety of self-driving cars. Texas recently passed legislation that will require companies not only to obtain a new permit for these programs, but also requiring companies to submit information to Texas authorities regarding how these autonomous vehicles will respond to police and first responders. These new pieces of legislation will help to clarify important questions regarding who is held accountable in the vehicles in the case of an accident.
