Automated Speed Enforcement Has Begun In Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA — Officials have begun a "pre-enforcement" period of monitoring speeding in work zones with high tech devices around Pennsylvania.

Electronic speed timing technology has been set up in work zones on major roadways around the state, and will monitor for violations during the next 60 days. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is calling it a pre-enforcement period; during this time, no tickets will be issued. Full enforcement, including violations, will begin on March 4.

"The goal is to encourage motorists to slow down in work zones, change their behavior, and ultimately improve safety for both motorists and workers," acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in a statement, citing the 23 deaths and 1,804 crashes that occurred in Pennsylvania work zones in 2018.

Not everyone agrees with the cameras effectiveness, necessity, or fairness, however. The National Motorists Association, which staunchly opposes the use of the technology, says that cameras are inaccurate, and often do not provide a clear image of the offending vehicle.

"Tests done by the University of Virginia found that fewer than three percent of the photos taken of vehicles on Interstate-type roads provided a clear image of a single vehicle, the license plate number and the driver," the Association states on their website. "Photo radar should not be used on high-speed, multi-lane highways. Yet, some greedy cities still use it on these types of roads."

They also argue that there is little evidence that cameras improve safety, and that automated enforcement is often employed in areas with under-posted speed limits.

PennDOT says that this technology will only be used in active work zones where workers are present.

“When a crash occurs in an active work zone, it's just as likely to result in death or injury to a driver or passenger inside that vehicle,” PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a statement. “This program is about protecting everybody’s safety. If not for these workers in an active work zone, I ask you to slow down for yourself and other travelers.”

Starting March 4, violations will begin with a warning letter for the first offense, a $75 fine for the second, and a $150 fine for the third and subsequent offenses. No driver's license points will be assessed.

A total of 45 workers have been killed in accidents on the Pennsylvania Turnpike since 1945.