Legislation that would allow speed cameras to be used in road construction zones around Michigan is moving forward in the state Legislature.
A state Senate committee last month advanced the bill to the full chamber, and it has the backing of both the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.
Speaking on the MDOT Talking Michigan Transportation podcast this week, MITA’s Rob Coppersmith said automated speed cameras to catch those who are driving recklessly have been a success in other states.
“Here we sit, 23 other states have put cameras in their job sites because they see the value of that and recognize the lives and the accidents that it’s helping, just massive reductions in those areas,” Coppersmith said. “So, we’re not going to give up on this. We’re going to just keep pushing and I hope it’s a question of when, not if.”
Coppersmith says Michigan lost 20 people in work zone crashes last year.
Under the legislation, someone caught driving more than 10 miles over the speed limit in a work zone would first be mailed a warning, and then they’d get a ticket with further violations. Fines would range from $150 to $300.
Coppersmith says there’s been pushback from people who complain about being watched by Big Brother, but he notes in states where they have tolls, cars are tracked all of the time. Besides, he says this would only be in construction zones.
