Speed camera program for Connecticut highways gets first green light
As part of the pilot program, if a camera captures a car going 15 mph or more over the speed limit, the vehicle's owner would receive a ticket. The fine would be $75 for the first violation and $200 for repeat offenses within a year.
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Speed cameras could be coming to Connecticut highways in the future.
The state Legislature’s Transportation Committee approved a bill last week that would launch a pilot program placing automated speed cameras on major highways, like Interstate 95, Interstate 84 and the Merritt Parkway. The specific locations would be determined by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection after looking at areas with a history of excessive speeding and serious crashes.
“We have too many people speeding on our highways, recklessly driving, taking other people's lives as a result of that and something needs to be done,” said state Sen. Christine Cohen, co-chair of the state’s Transportation Committee.
The program would give drivers some leeway when it comes to speed. If a camera captures a car going 15 mph or more over the speed limit, the vehicle's owner would receive a ticket. The fine would be $75 for the first violation and $200 for repeat offenses within a year. Each violation would first be reviewed by a state trooper. The tickets wouldn't affect the owner's driving record or insurance, according to the bill.
Drivers at the I-95 North rest stop in Darien had mixed reactions.
“I’m not sure,” said Susan Walker, of Trumbull. “It could help because there are a lot of crazy drivers out there going very fast.”
Michael Ruzza, of Windham, has also seen his share of speeders.
“Zipping in and out, swerving in and out of traffic. Going 70 or 75 isn't fast enough for them,” Ruzza said, describing his experience.
He said he needed to learn more about how the program would be implemented before forming an opinion, but “being someone who tries to stay within the speed limit, I’m not that concerned about it.”
Donovan Shava, from West Haven, called it a bad idea.
“It’s just too intrusive. There are other people committing bad things on the road, but you want to focus on speeding, the last thing on the line? Come on,” Shava told News 12.
The state already uses speed cameras in highway work zones, which Cohen said has worked in getting people to slow down and be safer.
Eva Zymaris, a spokesperson for CTDOT, made a statement to News 12 saying, "We appreciate the Committee's continued support for efforts to make our state safer, whether someone is driving, walking, or biking. We are reviewing the legislation that advanced out of Committee, and we look forward to working with the General Assembly as the session moves forward."
If the General Assembly approves the bill before the session ends in May, the pilot program could start Jan. 1, 2027. It would run for two years.
