Keeping the roads safe is a major concern of lawmakers and law enforcement alike. From traffic fines to automated camera technology, enforcing traffic laws ensures that all road users’ lives are kept safe from harm while on the road. In order to assist law enforcement with enforcing laws and regulations on the roads, more states are considering how cameras and other traffic automated technology can help assist with monitoring roads and enforcing repercussions of breaking the law.
Automated traffic programs save lives
Automated camera programs include the use of camera technology, such as speeding or red light cameras, to monitor if vehicles are abiding by the laws of the road. This technology is particularly useful as it means that police officers do not have to be physically present to catch someone breaking traffic laws, and ensures constant surveillance at all times.
By having speeding cameras set up in particular, this helps to make sure that drivers are less likely to break speed limits if they know they are under surveillance. In addition, having automated technology like this helps to free up police resources and minimize potential bias in police stops on the road, as the cameras objectively determine who is speeding or running a red light.
You could face fines in this city with its new pilot program
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, lawmakers are pushing to implement the first automated camera program in the city in order to curb reckless driving on the roads. The proposed bill has been dubbed the ‘Safe Roads Save Lives Act’ and is being pushed by state senators LaTonya Johnson and Dora Drake. The automated program would monitor both speeding vehicles and red-light violations, but would not include AI-monitoring of illegal parking.
“I think people want to feel safe, be able to drop their kids off to school or the bus stop, without worries about someone driving recklessly,” Drake said in a statement
The program would see the installation of cameras in high-risk traffic zones across the city. Up to five cameras would be allowed in each aldermanic district, and a public campaign would be required in order to inform people about the cameras before they could be allowed to be installed. The Act forms part of the Vision Zero Action Plan from the City of Milwaukee, which aims for the city to eliminate all road traffic fatalities and serious traffic injuries by 2037. In Wisconsin, traffic fines can start as low as $30 but can be as high as $800. If caught speeding by the cameras, more of these fines are expected to be issued.
Milwaukee joins other cities with automated driving programs
Other cities across the nation have been enforcing automated driving programs to increase public safety on the roads. New York City is particularly notable for its automated driving programs. The city boasts over 2,000 speeding cameras across 750 school zones. The city has also expanded its automated program in work zones in construction zones, and bridges to ensure the safety of workers:
“Governor Hochul has said since day one of this budget process that public safety is her top priority,” said a spokesperson for Hochul’s office. “Expanding this successful program to MTA Bridges and Tunnels is one more way the Governor is working to improve safety on our roads and bridges for workers and travelers alike.”
Connecticut also started to enforce automated camera programs this year. The pilot program initially began in 2023, and with the program seeing mass success in reducing speeding violations, it has been officially implemented by the Department of Transportation this year. The state will also be enforcing red-light cameras as part of its automated driving program. However, there are still nine states in the US that prohibit the use of this technology.
