Michigan drivers, beware! Your next speeding ticket might not come from a human officer but from a robot deployed in construction zones across the state.
A newly introduced bill in the Michigan legislature aims to ramp up traffic surveillance by replacing state troopers with automated traffic cameras, particularly in work zones. Here’s the scoop:
The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed HB 4132 and 4133 in June 2023, signaling a push for tighter regulation of construction zones on Michigan’s roads.
Under the proposed legislation, Michigan’s vehicle code would undergo amendments to authorize the installation of electronic traffic sensor systems in work zones where construction workers are present and no barriers separate them from traffic. These systems, dubbed “automated speed enforcement systems,” would automatically detect and penalize speeding drivers.
According to reports from Click On Detroit, the bill would also establish a dedicated department within the Michigan State Police to oversee the implementation and operation of these automated speed enforcement systems.
So, how would this all unfold?
Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 10 miles per hour would trigger the cameras to capture their license plate and vehicle details. State troopers would then review the captured data, including the date, time, speed, and any previous citations associated with the driver or vehicle. Subsequently, fines would be determined and issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
But what if you’re not behind the wheel when the speeding incident occurs?
Michigan residents have raised valid concerns about accountability. In such cases, drivers can contest the violation by signing an affidavit under oath, stating they were not driving at the time. However, given the photographic evidence captured by the cameras, disputing the citation should be relatively straightforward.
Michigan motorists should brace themselves for heightened scrutiny and potential fines as the state moves closer to deploying robotic enforcers in construction zones. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.