WASHINGTON – Drivers, beware: Speed cameras may be on their way to a location near you thanks President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Law.
Under new federal guidance issued Wednesday, states can now use billions of dollars on interstate highways for road safety programs, such as automated traffic enforcement. . They are being told that the camera takes pictures skirunning Transportation is an established way to help reduce rising traffic deaths.
All are part of the Ministry of Transport new national strategy prevent a record increase in road deaths with a broad “safety systems” approach that promotes better road design, lower speed limits and more safe car regulations. The guidance of Federal Highway Administration quote camera speed especially a proven enforcement tool against dangerous driving.
The goal of the Federal Highway Administration “is to help state and local transportation agencies across the country implement projects that make our streets, highways, and bridges safe and accessible to all users,” said the agency’s deputy administrator Stephanie Pollack. “States now have more flexibility and funding to improve highway safety.”
Sometimes called “speed trap“Automatic traffic enforcement can attract million dollar ticket revenue for local communities but caused a backlash and was not widely accepted. The Highway Safety Insurance Institute It is estimated that only about 159 communities widely use speed cameras, even after National Traffic Safety Board in 2017 urged their greater use to prevent accidents. Driver complain often Speed cameras can be inaccurate, but it’s almost impossible to dispute in court. Eight states specifically ban the use of speed cameras, while about two dozen other states have no specific laws supporting their use.
However, when the traffic dies has skyrocketed transparent coronavirus pandemic, safe car Groups including the Governors Highway Safety Association have increasingly pointed out that automated traffic enforcement is more reliable and equitable than police stops, which can pose risks. Risk of confrontation between a car driver and the police. Surname release a checklist last summer to provide a roadmap for building community support.
More than first According to government data, four traffic-related deaths occurred as a result of speed-related crashes. Federal Highway Administration says speed cameras can reduce numbers collision injury nearly 50%.
“Automatic speed enforcement, if implemented equitably and appropriately applied to roads with the greatest risk of speeding harm, can provide significant safety and save lives,” according to the Department of Transportation’s safety strategy released last week.
The department said that under the traffic bill five years earlier, states were primarily restricted from spending highway safety money on hard infrastructure projects, such as building sidewalks; The use of federal funds for speed cameras was prohibited except in school zones. Now, under Biden’s new law, states have the option to use up to 10% of the $15.6 billion in total highway safety money available over five years for non-base programs. specific infrastructure, such as public awareness campaigns, automatic enforcement of traffic safety laws, and measures to protect children walking and biking to school.
About $3 billion in highway safety money was distributed to states in December.
At a press event Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis blow Biden’s infrastructure bill waste even when he says his state welcomes extra federal transportation dollars.
“They are spending $15 billion on speed cameras so they can catch speeders. I mean, I’m sorry. I do not want that. “That exposes us to even more scrutiny,” said Republicans.
Ultimately, states and localities — not the federal government — will decide how best to use the $15 billion in formula funding to improve road safety. Federal guidelines actually limit the amount spent on speed cameras at 10%.
The new guidance also requires at least 15% of the state’s highway safety improvement program funds to address pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users who are not driven by traffic. otherwise if these groups account for 15% or more of the state’s crash deaths.
Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg has emphasizes the need to improve safety for all road users and not just drivers, note that safer roads for all transit options are open. Traffic deaths involving cyclists and pedestrians are more likely to affect lower-income, non-whites, according to government data.
