CT House okays traffic cameras

HARTFORD — Connecticut municipalities would have the option to use automated cameras to enforce speed limit and red light violations under a traffic safety bill passed Tuesday by the House on a 104-46 vote and sent to the Senate.

House Bill 5917 is a reaction to the deaths of 239 drivers and passengers and 75 pedestrians in 2022, the deadliest year on Connecticut roadways in decades, according to the state Department of Transportation.

To win passage, sponsors of the bill shed provisions that would have required helmet use by motorcyclists and banned the consumption of alcoholic beverages by passengers in most motor vehicles.

“The series of recommendations, though modified, before you will result in improved traffic safety, improve livability for our communities and avoid the tragic fatalities in many cases that we’ve seen throughout Connecticut,” said Rep. Roland Lemar, D-New Haven.

The speed limit and red light cameras would be limited to school zones, defined pedestrian safety zones and other locations chosen by local officials and approved by the Office of State Traffic Administration. Speeders would have to be going at least 10 miles per hour over the limit to get an automated ticket.

“This is a hard choice we need to make,” said Lemar, co-chair of the Transportation Committee. “There needs to be new behavioral norms in Connecticut. What we’ve seen on our roadways, frankly, is shocking.”

Rep. Kathy Kennedy of Milford, the ranking House Republican on Transportation, said 90 people were killed on the roads in the first four-plus months of 2023.

“It’s really scary,” Kennedy said, describing accidents and reckless driving she’s witnessed on her commute to Hartford. “I don’t know that this bill will stop this. But we have to start somewhere.”

Acknowledging that the use of cameras to enforce traffic laws is controversial, Lemar said the bill includes safeguards against abuse. Camera locations would be subject to approval by local legislative bodies every three years.

Automated enforcement zones must be clearly marked, and fines would be capped at $50 for a first offense and $75 for a second offense regardless of a violator’s recorded speed. The revenue would go to municipalities and must be used for traffic-related expenses.

Violations would be handled more like a parking ticket than an infraction issued by a police officer. No points would be assessed to a driver’s license.

But opponents objected to the automation of law enforcement, the prospect of giving municipalities a profit incentive to give tickets, and the potential of discriminatory enforcement.

Despite Lemar’s protestations to the contrary, Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, said the bill was written to give discretion for issuing infractions. He noted that a municipal official after reviewing a recorded violation “may” issue a ticket.

“It’s discretionary whether or not that ticket is issued,” Fishbein said. “So we are opening the door to disparate treatment.”

Fishbein offered an amendment that would have struck the sections allowing enforcement by automated cameras.

“I think this is a bridge too far at this point, given the significant due process concerns,” Fishbein said.

Rep. Tom Delnicki, R-South Windsor, said Chicago has raised $1 billion over 10 years from its camera enforcement.

“That’s an amazing number,” Delnicki said.

Lemar said Chicago had a fine structure far more onerous that the limits of $50 for a first offense and $75 for a second offense in the Connecticut bill.

The Journal occasionally will offer articles from CTMirror.org, a source of nonprofit journalism and a partner with The Lakeville Journal.

Latest News

Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less
Violet Leila Woods

MILLERTON — Violet Leila Woods, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. She was born on Jan. 23, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. Following birth, Violet resided in Millerton, New York, where she lived until moving to Jacksonville, Florida following her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Woods; her parents, Henry George Rice and Eurie Marion Rice; her ten siblings; Audrey, Glendon, Joseph, George, Robert, Gordon, Beulah, Marion, Edith, and Betty. Violet, more commonly known as “Vi” lived a long, fulfilling, and wonderful life spent with family and friends.

Day to day, Violet spent time playing sudoku puzzles and was an avid reader, finding joy in exchanging books with friends. She also found great joy playing bingo, pinnacle, poker, and had a lifelong passion for knitting and crocheting, which she learned from her mother. Many friends or relatives have received sweaters, blankets, and afghans hand-made by Vi. Her handmade gifts truly touched the lives of many.

Keep ReadingShow less