Watch CBS News

AAA Study: Speed Cameras In Construction Zones Work

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Speed cameras in construction zones work. That's what a new AAA study discovered this week.

Gigi Barnett explains that means millions for the state's coffers.

Construction zones statewide are protected by speed cameras. A new study released this week by AAA found that those surveillance cameras are watching quite well.

"I think I got nabbed twice before I realized I was getting tickets," said driver Craig Pfeifer.

Revenue from speeding tickets is up and fatalities among construction workers is down.

A hit-and-run accident killed a construction worker back in 2005. The driver pinned him under a tractor. Two years ago, the state installed the cameras. That same year, six people died in highway work zones; some of them were drivers.

"Motorists are getting the message. They're realizing the importance of slowing down in these work zones," said Christine Delise, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman.

Between January and October of this year, the state wrote nearly 400,000 construction zone speeding tickets and, if every driver paid those fines, that's $16 million. But some drivers are upset that these cameras are active even when workers aren't there.

"This is a concern as the whole work zone enforcement program loses credibility when motorists drive through, especially like on Thanksgiving Day, and there are not workers present," Delise said.

But some drivers are okay with a 24/7 construction zone camera because the work area has hidden dangers.

"The sign doesn't say reduce speed because of construction workers. It says reduce speed because of a construction zone and the zone is there," said one driver.

The construction speed zone fines are $40 each.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.