Maine’s highways could soon be monitored by automated speed-tracking cameras that could be used to issue tickets without a driver ever interacting with police if Republican Sen. Brad Farrin’s (R-Somerset) recent resolution is successful.
The proposed resolution, LD 1457, introduced on Thursday, drew support from three Democratic and two Republican co-sponsors. It was set to be referred to a committee that day and was expected to be sent to the Committee on Transportation, though it has not yet been officially referred because Thursday’s Senate session was canceled.
The resolution authorizes a limited pilot program to implement a “work zone speed control system” in a highway work zone. The program would operate in three locations in road construction areas across the state at any given time. Each zone would have cameras intended to monitor and record the speed and license plates of vehicles traveling through that zone.
The cameras will then capture the license plate of any car caught traveling 11 miles-per-hour or more over the limit in the work zone. While the images may not be used for surveillance purposes, they will be used to issue penalties to speeding drivers. The first offense will result in a mailed warning, and the second will result in a fine.
At first, the system will not be fully autonomous but will be maintained and calibrated by an operator who will ensure that it is working correctly. Recorded violations will be manually reviewed before any warning or fine is issued.
The personal information collected by the system cannot be sold by the Maine Turnpike Authority and will not be eligible for release under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) laws.
Each of the work zones involved in the pilot program will be clearly marked with signs informing drivers that their speed is being monitored by a camera.
Following the pilot program, the MTA director would be mandated to submit a report by November 2028 to the legislature, including any recommendations for legislation surrounding traffic enforcement cameras. Though the current resolution only implements a pilot program, the 2028 report opens the door for a significant expansion of the program, potentially to all work zones or even beyond and into general highway speed enforcement.
Currently, Maine already uses license plate tracking cameras to assist in criminal investigations, among other “safety” purposes. Although they are currently not permitted to be used to enforce speed limits, this resolution appears to be a step towards a dramatic expansion of digital enforcement.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="37566 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=37566">30 Comments
Sorry I pay taxes to maintain those roads and I say no. How about we put a camera at the state house to see who actually shows up to work.
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Lets put cameras in the Blaine house to watch who is doing Dope and getting Drunk with Cocaine Janet ! RINO Farrin is just another REPUBLICUCK in Augusta must have bought stock in this Tech ….Always follow the Money in Maine …….
Go see what happened to the Cameras in Great Britian … Same thing here
It is cheaper and just as effective to display signs: “Each of the work zones involved in the pilot program will be clearly marked with signs informing drivers that a camera is monitoring their speed.”
This would be just the start, it will not take long for abuse to occur, more surveillance by big brother. And lets see who will be getting a financial reward for these cameras.
Is this guy insane? The MTP already photos your license plates every time you drive through a toll booth, and they’re TRACKING YOU EVERY MOVE. This idea is definitely big brother, and should NOT be implemented.
I believe driving on public roads is a privilege, to be earned and maintained, and not a right since you can negatively affect fellow citizens. That said, let history be our guide. Government legislation is like a creeping crud that grows and grows. There are numerous laws, with consequences, for aberrant actions while driving on public roads. We all need to take more personal responsibility without it being legislated.
This sounds right for the people who want to control your every move and every thought .
Think of all the things they could do with their 24 x 7 monitoring devices . Oh yeah ….Augusta democrats will think this is a wonderful idea .
@PHG. Driving on a public road is com certainly NOT a privilege. I pay taxes on my car/truck/motorcycle, fuel, income, and toll fees to drive those roads.
This will pass. Anything to make a buck the easiest way possible. Abuse of technology is the new way..
Will the cops be free to catch more drug criminals?
Staties still won’t stop the speeding tourists from big cities who drive dangerously fast.
What is it with the Republicans in Augusta wanting to monitor us 24/7?
This bill and the bill to electronically track inspections?
All of this Big Brother crap will only expand.
“even beyond and into general highway speed enforcement.” Here is where this is headed as a way to raise more money for the demorats to spend on their pet projects, and each other.
MTA is a private corporation.
How ironic that legislators can speed going to/from the Legislature without penalty of any sort. No limits. How desperate are we for transportation funding? Good one Mr. Farrin. Slippery, sleazy backdoor taxation. What next – automatic spike mats?
No Mas!!
I believe that there are already cameras at every toll station on the Maine Turnpike. If they take a pic of your plate and receive a beep of info from your toll device, do they also record the time? I suspect that they do, and it would be simple for a computer in the system to compute the time elapsed between tolls and then calculate your average speed over that distance. Should that speed be 11 mph over the posted limit, can the system write you a ticket and send you a bill for the fine? Standing by…..
Just because the machine finds you guilty doesn’t mean you’ll get a ticket .
Some little underling of Aaron Frey will see if you’re on the list , and if you are, they won’t bother you . “ Friends of The State “ will be exempt .
Judge Dredd comes to Maine. This will be just the start of more lazy legislative fleecing of the taxpayers. The Maine legislature adds absolutely nothing positive to taxpayer lives, apparently their sole purpose is to pick the pocket of Maine residents. Disgusting.
Moose will shoot them out with moose poop shooters from 600yds
Sooo, let’s initiate yet another revenue enhancement program rather than CUT reckless spending?!
Will this apply to illegals?
NO
IT WILL NOT apply to illegals
Or anyone else the State deems “ not to be charged “ .
Not everybody gets a ticket .
Just the people the State wants .
Think about it .
This is the state looking to increase it’s revenue in order to bolster the failed attempt of the governor and the democrats at a balanced budget, supported by RINO’s who might as well change their party to democrat and be done with it.
Politicians who put forth these anti-freedom bs bills should spend time behind bars & forever removed from the ability to run for public office… and a months time spent in a pillory would help teach them a lesson.
Maybe focusing on finishing the road work instead of only putting on a show when the federal transportation secretary shows up for a visit…then back to nothing getting finished.
Instead of wasting money
Put cameras in the classroom, if you want to see real crime.
It never stops and the Maine Republicans are just as bad as the DemocRATS!!! Seriously when is enough enough?
The day they pass a law for automated cameras for highway zones is the same day I install plate covers on a switch.