Speed cameras: A step toward safer roads in Massachusetts
At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, our experienced personal injury lawyers know speeding ranks as a top factor in serious car accidents. That’s why we applaud a proposal by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to install speed cameras.
Traffic cameras could be a game-changer in reducing dangerous speeding incidents and protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
How dangerous is speeding?
Speeding drivers pose a serious threat to public safety. Too often, victims suffer life-altering injuries or even lose their lives due to reckless driving. A new proposal in Gov. Healey’s $62 billion budget could provide a powerful tool to curb dangerous speeding, according to an article in Boston.com.
Across the country, more than 300 communities already utilize traffic cameras to enforce speed limits and prevent reckless driving. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that speed camera programs reduce driving speeds and crash rates, making roads safer for everyone.
Healey’s proposal would allow Massachusetts municipalities to install speed enforcement cameras to catch drivers exceeding speed limits by 11 mph or more (or 6 mph in school zones). These cameras would strategically target areas where excessive speeding is a recurring danger, particularly near schools, crosswalks, and high-traffic pedestrian zones.
How do speed cameras work?
Each municipality could install one camera per 5,000 residents, meaning Boston could see up to 130 cameras, and Worcester could get up to 41, according to Boston.com.
Violators would receive a warning for the first offense and a $25 fine for a second violation within two years. Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more would face $100 fines.
Cameras would only capture photos when a clear, enforceable violation occurs, and they would not photograph the front of vehicles to protect drivers' privacy.
Public notification signs would be required at a reasonable distance to inform drivers that cameras are in use.
How speeding endangers pedestrians
Boston’s Chief of Streets, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, has called speeding an “epidemic of dangerous behavior” on city streets, and State Sen. Will Brownsberger has advocated for automated enforcement to compensate for overburdened police departments that struggle to enforce traffic laws effectively.
Like many Massachusetts cities, Worcester has experienced a rise in pedestrian accidents. These incidents often occur at busy intersections, crosswalks, and school zones – places where speed cameras could have the most impact. Slowing down traffic prevents crashes and makes roadways more accessible and livable for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
How a Massachusetts car accident lawyer can help
At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, we strongly support this initiative. We know that prevention is the best way to save lives. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a speeding driver, we are here to help you fight for the justice, accountability, and financial compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone today for a free consultation. Tell them you mean business!
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