Work Zone Cameras

Issue:

Work Zone Cameras

It is in the best interest of motorists and the construction industry to reject the use of work zone cameras.


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Inaccuracies persist: Photo radar technology is not foolproof

Even in work zones and construction areas, where safety is paramount, ticket cameras can still generate false readings. Radar technology used in these devices is not infallible. Unlike traditional tickets issued by qualified officers, camera-generated citations lack the reliability of tracking history or visual estimation. Due to inadequate maintenance and calibration, thousands of tickets can result from faulty readings.

Prioritizing ticket volume over safety

Using ticket cameras in work zones and construction areas emphasizes ticket numbers rather than ensuring safety. These devices are typically deployed in locations characterized by high traffic volume and under-posted speed limits, neglecting the need to promote safety in residential streets, low-volume roads, and areas where speed limits are set according to the 85th percentile rule. This focus on ticket volume does not align with the objective of making our roads safer.

Inaccuracy on work zone roads

Studies conducted have shown that ticket cameras in work zones and construction areas can be highly inaccurate. On high-speed, multi-lane highways within these zones, fewer than three percent of captured photos provide a clear image of a single vehicle, license plate number, and driver. The use of photo radar on these types of roads compromises accuracy and, ultimately, safety.

Encouraging artificially low speed limits in construction areas

Ticket cameras can lead to the establishment of artificially low speed limits in construction areas. Proper speed limits should be set according to the 85th percentile rule, which considers the speed at or below which 85 percent of traffic is flowing. However, to generate revenue, ticket cameras often require low tolerance thresholds, such as one or two miles per hour over the speed limit. This practice is not accepted politically and lacks support from the courts. Consequently, the only option is to set unreasonably low speed limits within construction areas to make photo radar profitable.

Insufficient evidence of safety improvements

Despite claims made by companies selling photo enforcement equipment and the municipalities utilizing them, there is no independent verification of their impact on highway safety, overall accident reduction, or traffic flow improvement. Relying on the claims of these companies and municipalities without solid evidence is akin to believing commercial advertisements.

Lack of certifiable witnesses in work zones

In work zones and construction areas, there is no reliable witness to the alleged violation captured by ticket cameras. Even when law enforcement officers oversee these cameras, it is highly unlikely that they can recall specific violations. This lack of a “personal accuser” denies motorists their constitutional right to confront their accuser. Furthermore, camera operation at the time of capture cannot guarantee accuracy or provide testimony regarding the circumstances of the alleged violation.

Inadequate notification for ticket recipients in construction areas

Ticket cameras in work zones and construction areas often send citations via first-class mail. However, there is no guarantee that accused motorists will receive the ticket, let alone understand it and know how to respond. Despite this, governments assume the ticket’s receipt and understanding. If motorists fail to pay, it is assumed that they did so intentionally, potentially resulting in an arrest warrant.

Lack of positive driver identification

Photos captured by ticket cameras typically fail to identify the driver of the offending vehicle in work zones and construction areas. Instead, the ticket is mailed to the owner of the vehicle, who may not have been the driver at the time of the violation. This places the burden of proving innocence on the owner, often requiring them to identify the actual driver, which can be challenging if the driver is a family member, friend, or employee.

Delayed notification for ticket recipients in construction areas

Citations for work zone and construction area violations may reach motorists days or even weeks after the alleged offense. This lengthy delay undermines the ability to effectively defend oneself. Motorists may struggle to recall the circumstances surrounding the supposed violation, making it difficult to present a valid defense. Even if the photo was captured in error, remembering the exact day in question can be arduous.

Designed inconvenience of ticket camera systems

To discourage ticket challenges, courts or private contractors handling ticket camera systems often refuse to provide accused vehicle owners with a copy of the photo, citing privacy concerns. This refusal to provide access to the evidence is intentionally inconvenient. Many photos captured by these systems do not clearly depict the driver or show that the driver is not the owner. Vehicle owners are then forced to visit a courthouse or municipal building to view the photo, further discouraging challenges to the ticket.It is in the interest of motorists and the construction industry to reject the use of work zone cameras. These cameras can compromise accuracy, prioritize ticket volume over safety, and lack verifiable evidence of their effectiveness. Let us strive for fair and reliable enforcement approaches in work zones and construction areas that prioritize the safety of both motorists and workers.

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