In response to stubbornly high motor vehicle accident rates in Connecticut, the state legislature appointed a Vision Zero Council to study strategies for improving road safety. Now, the governor has signed a law that adopts many of the council’s recommendations, including expanded use of automated traffic enforcement methods.
The traffic safety law, signed in June 2023, removes some of the legal restrictions on installation of automated enforcement systems and encourages local governments to install them. These systems include roadway cameras that constantly monitor vehicle speeds as well as intersection cameras that capture images of vehicles running red lights. The recorded evidence of violations can be used to automatically issue citations for drivers to pay fines or appear in court.
The Vision Zero Council found that automated enforcement is effective in reducing traffic accidents. These camera systems have a high probability of catching violators. Stiff fines, assessment of points against driving licenses and increased insurance costs are very real consequences. Drivers know that they are being monitored, so they are less likely to speed or run red lights. Other states that intensively use traffic cameras report a 30 percent or greater reduction in collisions, according to the council.
Automated enforcement has also been found to be economically efficient. The cost of the cameras and of the notification/citation modules is significantly less than the cost of hiring more police officers. The cameras operate continuously and the systems require comparatively little human intervention. What’s more, the revenue generated by way of fines is expected to far exceed the hardware and maintenance costs.
Although the new law will hopefully reduce the number of accidents in Connecticut, the state’s dense population and high numbers of vehicles continue to make for a hazardous driving environment. Drivers need to exercise utmost caution at intersections as well as on thoroughfares. If you’re involved in an automobile accident, call emergency services, collect contact information from the other party and from witnesses and take cellphone photos of the scene. If you have been injured, and even if the harm appears to be slight, get immediate medical attention. As soon as possible, contact an experienced auto accident attorney who can analyze and pursue your right to financial compensation.
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven represents auto accident victims throughout Connecticut. Contact us online or call 203-745-0942 for a free initial consultation.
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. is located in Hamden, CT and serves clients in and around North Haven, Hamden, Waterbury, Bethany, Milford, Wallingford, Prospect, Woodbridge, Northford, Madison, Beacon Falls, Branford, Cheshire, North Branford, East Haven, Naugatuck, Meriden, Ansonia and New Haven County.
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