This state will soon be sending out new fines for drivers using this technology. Driving legislation and policies are constantly under review in order to ensure that the safety of all road users is constantly kept as a priority. These changes to legislation include adding additional and more severe penalties if you are caught breaking the laws of the road, changing speeding limits, and even implementing the use of new technology in order to assist law enforcement with cracking down on road users breaking the law.
The ongoing problem of keeping road users safe
One of the major problems with ensuring that road users follow the laws of the road is that it is very easy for road users to break the law without facing repercussions. Additionally, for some drivers and other road users, the perceived risk of breaking certain policies appears to be low, meaning people do not follow these laws as strictly as they should.
However, as a driver, you have a responsibility not just for your safety but the well-being of other road users. As such, it is critical that you continue to be vigilant and uphold the laws of the road. However, due to continuous disobedience of drivers, states are having to come down hard on road traffic safety legislation, with the intent of preventing road users from breaking the law by increasing the severity of such penalties
One of the most utilized penalties for breaking the laws of the road is issuing fines to drivers. However, certain states are now also implementing jail time along with fines for breaking certain road traffic safety policies. Maryland recently updated their driving penalties for drivers who are convicted of aggressive driving, with fines of up to $1,000 on the line as well as reckless driving convictions are also now subject to increased fines of up to $1,000 as well as 60 days’ worth of jail time.
New $80 fines until 2029 in this state by using this technology
This month, the Traffic Safety Camera Pilot Program in the City of Minneapolis, goes into effect. The pilot program involves the use of automated speeding cameras in order to identify drivers who are caught speeding. The program is currently being implemented in five locations in the city, with plans to expand to 42 locations. The pilot program intends to run until July 2029.
The cameras will be located at the following locations in the city:
- Freemont Avenue North near West Broadway Avenue North
- 18th Avenue Northeast near Central Avenue Northeast
- 3rd Street North near 1st Avenue North
- Chicago Avenue South near Franklin Avenue East
- Nicollet Avenue South near 46th Street West
If you are identified by the cameras to be speeding, you will first be issued a warning. After your first offence, you will be issued a fine of $40 if your vehicle is found to be driving 10mph or more over the speed limit, with fines increasing to $80 if you are speeding 20mph or more over the speed limit.
The rise in automated camera technology
Across the nation, local law enforcement is increasingly relying upon the use of automated camera technology in order to assist with identifying drivers who are still not adhering to road traffic policies. While some locations, such as New York City, have been using this technology for years, others are only just getting started.
Following in the footsteps of Minneapolis, San Francisco recently rolled out their own automated camera technology program across 33 locations; however, the city has more severe fines in place for drivers who are caught speeding in this location compared to Minneapolis. Fines range from $50 to $500, depending on the severity of your speeding violation. Fines began being distributed this month, with drivers previously only receiving a warning.
