Drive Slow, Live Long

While reckless driving has been an increasing trend throughout the country, and noticeable here in Connecticut, most individuals might not have predicted the outcome of installing a speed camera for two weeks on two roads in a rural part of the state. According to figures cited in multiple news outlets, Washington, CT issued $21,000 in fines as the first municipality to install speed cameras in Connecticut.

As of this writing, just Washington and Middletown have installed the “automated traffic enforcement” cameras, with three additional municipalities (Greenwich, Marlborough, and Wethersfield) approved by the state. Five additional towns (Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Stamford, and Stratford) are under review by the state.

The application from the Town of Washington describes the fine process, which gave a 30-day period in which written warnings were issued. After that grace period was over, fines began at $50 for a first offense and $75 for subsequent offenses. That means that in two weeks, that between 300 and 400 tickets were handed out, depending on how many were first-time offenses.

The effects of reckless driving are being felt across the state, with the Connecticut Department of Transportation saying that speeding alone was responsible for 104 fatalities in 2023, according to a press release on their summer enforcement campaign. This figure tracks nationally, and “remains a significant threat to public safety.”

“As summer heats up, so will speed enforcement on our roads. Connecticut’s police officers will be stepping up efforts to ensure motorists obey posted speed limits. The simple truth is, speed kills,” said Watertown Police Chief Josh Bernegger, Chairman of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) Traffic Safety Committee. “Please slow down, stay alert, and drive responsibly. Let’s make this summer safe for everyone on the road.”

CTDOT provides municipalities with a roadmap for applying to the Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device Program, including a checklist and resources. Approved permits can be viewed are available on their dashboard to be viewed, so you can look at how approved municipalities have written their applications.

Now that figures have come back from Washington on their introductory period, it might not be so shocking to hear what other towns and cities report as they implement their programs. In a way, there’s no denying that reckless driving has become an ever-present problem on our roads. What remains to be seen is if the fines quell the leadfeet on our roads or they simply rack up fines for speedsters. n

*As the magazine was readied for publication, new figures came out for Washington. The town now estimates over $335k in tickets, while Middletown issued over $600k in tickets in just one month.