INDIANAPOLIS — A legislative committee approved a bill Monday that would allow the installation of automated cameras to catch speeders in construction zones.
House Bill 1465 would authorize the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Transportation to “establish a pilot program for the deployment of an automated work zone speed control system to enforce highway work zone speed limits.”
The program would include cameras in four divided highway work zones where workers are present.
Citations would be triggered at 12 miles over the posted work zone speed limit and mailed to the owner of the vehicle.
The owner could pay the fine or contest it.
No points would be added to the owner’s driver’s license.
"We’re not talking about red light cameras. We’re not talking about radar guns set up everywhere there’s a backhoe. We’re talking about limited, defined work zones where technology is being used to supplement law enforcement without putting law enforcement in harm’s way,” said Richard Hedgecock, President of Indiana Constructors, Inc, who spoke in favor of the bill.
Money from the tickets would go to INDOT and the Indiana State Police.
If passed, Indiana would become at least the seventh state to use automated cameras in construction zones.
But Brad Hoffeditz with the Indiana State Police said they have concerns about the bill in its current form.
“We’re not opposed to the idea of putting cameras in work zones,” Hoffeditz told lawmakers during Monday’s hearing. “(but) we feel like we don’t need to be involved. We would prefer not to be, honestly.”
Hoffeditz said lawmakers should consider treating the citation process as an administrative violation to avoid the need for police or courts. So tickets would be given much like a bill is mailed to motorists who use a toll bridge.
The bill is now up for a full vote before the House of Representatives.
To learn more about work zone safety and state law regarding driving infractions in work zones, click here.