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UPDATE 6/30/22: Bill died in committee

Senate Bill 3996 would implement a speed camera pilot program. Specifically, it would allow authorities to operate speed cameras in trunk highway work zones as well as in (and near) school zones. It has been referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.

The NMA is opposed to automated traffic enforcement, including speed cameras, for a number of reasons including:

• Photo radar can generate false readings
• This type of automated enforcement emphasizes ticket volume
• There is no certifiable witness to the alleged violation
• The driver of the vehicle is not positively identified by the camera which means, by default, the owner of the vehicle receives the ticket whether or not he/she was the driver at the time of the alleged violation
• Speed cameras have not been shown to improve traffic safety

In addition, “pilot” speed camera programs invariably lead to the spread of camera enforcement on a much broader scale.