The Michigan Senate approved a package of bills last week that would allow automated cameras to ticket drivers speeding in construction zones.
Before drivers enter an active construction zone, the bills would require signs that say motorists are being filmed and might be ticketed if they speed. Lawmakers say the bills are aimed at protecting road workers.
“It’s not only necessary to help calm traffic and slow down folks who are driving at ridiculous speeds in many of our construction zones,” said State Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) on the floor of the state Senate Thursday. “This is necessary to prevent the injury and death of the very people fixing our roads and bridges across Michigan.”
Passage of these bills comes just weeks after a road worker was fatally struck by a motorist on U.S. 127 near Mount Pleasant.
Similar bills have already passed the House. If signed into law, it would be the first time law enforcement in Michigan could ticket motorists without the presence of an officer.
State Sen. Ed Mcbroom (R-Waucedah) said based on how he’s seen the cameras implemented in other states, he’s not convinced Michigan is prepared.
“I’m not convinced that this idea is ripe for primetime and that we aren't going to suffer with a lot of significant difficulties from people who are falsely accused,” Mcbroom said on the floor of the state Senate.
Other opponents of the bill said they are worried it could be a slippery slope towards governance by automated systems instead of people.
State Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) says he's personally seen this law work in other states like Maryland.
“I have seen this work and mind you I don’t believe this is a slippery slope,” Damoose said on the floor of the state Senate. “I will never support cameras for routine speed enforcement, I hate red light cameras. We're not trying to create a government state here. But I will say that I’ve seen these hardworking laborers just inches away from traffic. Half the time these people, as we all know, are staring at phones, it’s just plain dangerous.”
The bills would ticket drivers going 10 or more miles per hour over the speed limit, with a written warning on their first infraction and a $150 fine on the second.
If Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs the bills into law, Michigan would join 17 other states that already have automatic speed enforcement zones.
