LANSING (WWJ) – There’s a continued push in Lansing to try and slow down speeding drivers in the state’s work zones by setting up speed cameras.
House Bill 5750, introduced back in February and last revisited in May, would allow the Michigan Department of Transportation to install automated speed cameras in construction zones. The bill would limit the use of the camera systems to highways and streets under MDOT jurisdiction, and only in work zones where workers are present.
Opponents of the bill say the cameras – which would snap a picture of the speeding vehicle’s license plate and send a ticket in the mail – are a violation of privacy.
Engineer John Osika, however, is a big supporter of the bill. Speaking on a recent episode of MDOT’s “Talking Michigan Transportation” podcast, Osika said he’s seen many terrible crashes while working on the roads for 30 years, including the time he was in a work zone with a lane shift.
“There was a semi that was going through and he didn’t do the shift,” Osika said. “And he pushed the car right into the downrigger of the crane, and the poor lady inside that car hit that downrigger, and it was a sight to be seen.”
That’s just one example of how dangerous work zones can be, Osika said on the podcast.
“It’s so much more congested out there with the distractions, that doesn’t help. Speed limits have sped up, so we just have to do something about it because we want everybody to go home every night,” Osika said.
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A summary of the proposed bill says the automated speed enforcement system would see an electronic traffic sensor system that automatically detects a speeding vehicle, with the use of a speed timing device.
The system would also capture a recorded image of the speeding vehicle. In order to issue a ticket, the system would have to produce a “clear and legible identification of the vehicle’s registration plate,” and identify the location, date and time the image was taken.
Listen to the entire episode of "Talking Michigan Transportation" here.
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