Speeding in a school zone is not permitted by law, but some speeders still get out of trouble when doing this in inappropriate zones – not anymore. A couple of states already have bills that prevent this type of thing happening in an area where kids, teenagers and adults walk around frequently, but now it’s about to reach a new level with cameras being stalled in the region to catch those who break the law started In July 1st and the first fines will come this month for reckless drivers.
School-zone speeders injure thousands every year
Speeding in school zones is a general problem. A study conducted by the Transportation Research Board in 2023 points out 25,000 injuries to children in accidents caused by drivers going over the speed limits in delimited areas. Another study shows that in California, 86% of the drivers go over the limits in school zones, and the pedestrian survival rate is under 20%.
With the need to create safer environments for kids, states started to take matters into their hands and installed cameras in the areas where the children were crossing streets and the busiest areas to catch the speeders, and Connecticut just adopted the measure. Starting on July 1, everyone who doesn’t stay under the speed limit will get a fine.
Connecticut is joining the movement
The city of Middletown has installed its first automated speed camera on a busy part of Route 66, and Police Chief Erik Costa says it’s in an ideal spot for the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan.
This marks Middletown as the first city in Connecticut to put up one of these cameras, with two more planned. The camera went live on June 10 along Route 66, also called Washington Street, between Woodgate Drive and George Street. The speed limit there is 35 mph as drivers approach and leave the business district. The device catches drivers speeding both eastbound toward downtown and westbound toward Middlefield and Meriden.
According to the city’s application to the state Department of Transportation, about 30,000 vehicles pass through this area daily. Data from April showed that 75% of drivers were going at least 10 mph over the limit, with the fastest recorded speed at 73 mph.
Chief Costa said they picked this location for two main reasons. First, the camera aims to slow drivers entering the retail area near Camp Street, where the road slopes downhill heading east. “We want to get cars to slow down at the red light that crosses Washington Street,” Costa explained. Slowing traffic there helps improve safety around the intersection.
The camera helps reduce speeding for drivers heading west on Route 66
For the first 30 days after installation, the city won’t issue fines. Instead, drivers caught going 10 mph or more over the limit will get warnings. Starting July 7, fines will be $50 for a first offense and $75 for any repeats.
Two other camera sites are being prepared: one near Moody Elementary School on Country Club Road, and another by Spencer Elementary School on Westfield Street.
The company providing the cameras charges $15 per violation to cover device maintenance and ticket processing. After tickets are resolved in court, the system deletes the violator’s information, keeping only the license plate number on record.
New method to pay for the cameras
The cameras are city-owned, and no tax dollars were used to buy or install them. Instead, fines will cover the costs. Most of the money collected will go to the Public Works department for road improvements like paving, new signs, striping, curb work, and safety upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists. Some funds will support police traffic safety programs, such as portable speed signs, speed trailers, and training on distracted driving.