Across the nation, states are cracking down in drivers who are caught speeding. When it comes to road safety legislation, policies which are aimed at reducing speeding incidents are perhaps laws which are constantly undergoing changes thanks to factors such as changes to vehicle technology, advancements in automation, and changes to traffic flow due to internal state migration. This one state has recently kicked off their new program to stamp out speeding by drivers.
Keeping the roads safe by reducing speeding
Correlations between speeding and increased risk of fatality and serious injury on the road have consistently been well documented. When you speed over the speed limit, you not only endanger your own life, but also the lives of other road users. Speeding significantly reduces your reaction time, as well as increases your chances of losing control of your vehicle, particularly if you are driving in bad weather conditions.
Efforts to discourage speeding range from increasing speeding penalties such as higher fines and changing speed limits altogether. However, in some cases, increasing speed limits can sometimes be more useful than reducing them. This is because if it becomes apparent that the majority of drivers are not adhering to a speed limit, it is safer to increase the speed to match the speed drivers are actually driving at in order to improve the cohesiveness of drivers on the road.
New fines and cameras in this state for speeding drivers
Across the nation, states are coming down hard on penalties for if you are caught speeding. Specific states are implementing new policies to target drivers who are deemed to be ‘excessively’ driving over the speed limit. For example, policy makers in Florida recently approved legislation which would see drivers who are caught driving over 50mph over the speed limit not only need to pay fines starting at $500, but also face jail time starting at 30-days if convicted.
In addition to harsher penalties, some states are starting to rely on the assistance of automated technology to help identify drivers who are caught speeding in order to enforce the relevant repercussions for breaking the speed limit. This month, the city of San Francisco in California rolled out their automated speed camera enforcement program operated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
City of San Francisco’s official statement describes how the cameras have been rolled out at 33 intersections across the city, with speeding tickets ranging between $50-$500 depending on the severity of your speeding violation.
“Speed cameras are proven to help keep people safe on the streets, and we are already seeing positive results from the warning period: Cameras are issuing fewer notices, and drivers are going at safer speeds. As our kids go back to school and more people continue to go into the office, we’re using this new technology to make our streets safer for our kids, our seniors, and our entire community,” described Mayor Daniel Lurie in a statement.
Automated technology increases in prevalence
Automated speeding camera technology is becoming increasingly drawn upon across states to assist lawmakers in preventing speeding. New York state has been well ahead of the curve when it comes to this technology, with New York City having the largest automated speed camera and red-light camera network in the country, first beginning their automate camera program in 2014.
Middleton in California has seen particular success since rolling our their automation program. Since implementing the program, as of July, the city has sent out over $600,000 worth of speeding fines to drivers. The program is set to continue to be expanded to other locations, including Greenwich, Hamden, New Haven, Stamford, Stratford, and Wethersfield. With initiatives like this, California is catching up to states like New York in terms of expanding automation.
