New Britain has received state approval to install automated traffic enforcement cameras, making it the 18th Connecticut municipality to receive such authorization, according to the state Department of Transportation.
New Britain becomes 18th Connecticut municipality approved for automated traffic cameras
New Britain has received state approval to install automated traffic enforcement cameras, making it the 18th Connecticut municipality to receive such authorization, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The 17 municipalities previously approved are Beacon Falls, Groton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hamden, Marlborough, Middletown, Milford, New Haven, North Haven, Prospect, Stratford, Stamford, Washington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Winchester. Hartford has submitted plans that are awaiting approval, while Greenwich and West Hartford have submitted amendments to their plans that are currently under review, the DOT said.
New Britain's approved plan covers 12 speed camera locations in school zones and two red-light camera locations on Martin Luther King Drive. The city had originally considered 18 locations, according to its application. More than half of residents who participated in a traffic safety survey said they feel unsafe or very unsafe walking or biking on New Britain streets because of speeding and red-light violations.
Speed cameras photograph the license plates of vehicles traveling 10 or more mph over the posted speed limit; red-light cameras photograph plates of vehicles that run red lights. Images are reviewed by a law enforcement official before any fine is issued. A first offense carries a $50 fine and subsequent offenses $75, with most municipalities also charging a $15 administrative fee. For the first 30 days after activation, only written warnings are issued.
A roadway safety law passed in 2023 requires the DOT to review submitted speed camera plans within 60 days and approve or reject them, with specific justifications and guidelines for resubmission. Municipalities must first hold a public hearing and demonstrate how the devices could improve traffic safety before submitting a plan. Approved plans are valid for three years and may be renewed.
Gov. Ned Lamont last week urged all Connecticut municipalities to immediately pause installation of new safety cameras and automatic license plate readers, and sent a letter to the Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council asking it to review the increased use of automated cameras. The governor's letter focused primarily on automated license plate readers, such as Flock cameras, which he said have little state oversight, but also mentioned speed cameras.
- The source does not state when New Britain plans to install or activate its cameras.
- The source does not state the total number of respondents to the New Britain traffic safety survey.
- The source does not state what prompted Gov. Lamont to issue the pause request at this time.
- The source does not state whether New Britain's approval predates or postdates the governor's pause request, or whether the city intends to comply with it.
- The source does not state what specific oversight mechanisms exist for speed cameras compared to automated license plate readers.
Read the original at CT News Junkie