Proposal to Install Radar Cameras in Connecticut - Illusion of Solution

A pilot program which would create automated speed enforcement cameras near the intersection of two major Interstates is the latest proposal made by Connecticut's Governor M. Jodi Rell. The proposal is being made to slow down traffic in East Lyme on a section of Interstate 95 which has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour. It is near a left-hand exit for Interstate 395 North (toward Norwich and Plainfield) only a few hundred feet away from an on-ramp allowing traffic from Route 1 to come onto Interstate 95 North and weave over to access Interstate 395 North.

Nobody wants to say but the design of this area of Interstate 95 is quite poor and should be reworked.

According to a press release from Governor Rell's Web site, in November 2007, a horrific accident claimed the lives of three people when an oil tanker truck, a tractor-trailer, and four cars.

While Connecticut State Police report that the accident is still under investigation, it is believed that the tanker truck was going too fast since witnesses claim they saw the truck speeding and making unsafe lane changes minutes before the accident.

While Rell has proposed the idea and it is being forwarded to the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, it is important Connecticut residents understand what automated speed enforcement is and why there are advantages and disadvantages to this system.

Installing automated speed enforcement cameras would be a first for the State of Connecticut.

According to a Connecticut Office of Legislative Research report, photo radar systems detect speeders and capture an image to identify the violator and they do not require law enforcement officers.

According to another OLR report, the system is provided by a vendor who processes the tickets for a per unit return either through a flat fee or percentage of collected fines.