A new automated speed camera pilot program opens up in the United States, and in Minneapolis, Vision Zero integrates it into their strategy to reduce to zero traffic deaths.
When surveillance cannot be everywhere, technology helps to demotivate speed and distracted driving. Jacob Frey, the mayor, puts it like this: “Minneapolis is taking commonsense steps to protect lives on our streets” and “With these traffic safety cameras, we’re making clear that speeding and reckless driving won’t be tolerated”. The local plan starts with five devices, and the first infraction will get a warning, but fees will be imposed between $40 and $80 from the second infraction, depending on the registered speed.
At the same time, many states are making stronger rules about “hands-free” to reduce the use of phones while driving, and other stronger sanctions for dangerous conduct, including the possibility of going to jail in serious cases. In Maryland, they’re studying the possibility to reduce the standard driving speed limits to 5 mph in the whole state.
If you look closely at what all of these propositions are aiming at, the purpose doesn’t change: improve road safety with clear rules.
What’s changing? From the Minneapolis pilot to more severe sanctions
The Traffic Safety Camera Pilot Program in Minneapolis is already working and will be extended until July 2029. They first installed 5 cameras with the possibility of expanding to 42 other additional locations and incorporating devices on traffic red lights.
Caught on the safety camera for the first time? You get a warning. But if you do it again, you will have to pay between 40 and 80 dollars, depending on how fast you were going.
The priority is prevention, not punishment. They believe constant signs will reduce risk. The trend is coherent: the authorities are combining technology and more strict norms to act on two factors that put the country in danger: excessive speed and distracted driving.
In many jurisdictions, the “hands-free” rules forbid holding a phone while driving. The use of it is restricted to navigation or no-contact calls. The idea of this is to reduce the temptation to use the phone altogether.
In other states the consequences for driving too fast are more harsh: higher penalty fees, driving license points, and in some circumstances, you might risk going to jail.
“Vision Zero” and what’s going on in Maryland
Vision Zero is part of a simple principle: design systems that tolerate human error without this resulting in a fatal accident. Which basically translates to slower speed and less distractions on the road. Little errors can create huge tragedies, and that’s what Minneapolis is fighting here. They want to measure behavior and allow space for correction when the risky conduct persists.
“Commonsense steps” were the words Jacob Frey used when referring to this philosophy. The goal is to protect lives and to emphasize that reckless driving will not be tolerated.
In Maryland, the proposal is complementary. The estate is reducing 5 mph the signalized limits. This will start on October 1st with a more severe sanction scheme: anyone detected exceeding more than 30 mph the limit, will be faced with paying from $1.000 to 60 days in jail and 6 points on the driver’s license after the sentence.
Their point of view is clear: no message or urgency justifies putting people’s lives at risk.
Slower but safer
If you haven’t done it at least, you’ve probably seen it: people slowing down when they get near the speed camera. It works; nobody wants to pay. Driving safely is more than just avoiding a ticket though… is avoiding an accident for you and the people around you.
The bottom line to all of this is actually simple: drive within the limits, and you won’t even have to think about what a speed camera is.