by Viktoria Sundqvist CTNewsJunkie
Wethersfield is the latest Connecticut municipality to be approved for automated traffic enforcement cameras by the state.
The town joins four others approved so far: Greenwich, Marlborough, Middletown, and the town of Washington.
Five other applications are pending review by the state Department of Transportation: Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Stamford, and Stratford.
A roadway safety law passed by the legislature in its 2023 session allows for towns and cities to employ speed cameras and red-light cameras to enforce local traffic ordinances. A municipality looking to submit a plan to the state Department of Transportation must first hold a public hearing, and the plan must show how the devices could help improve traffic safety.
Wethersfield’s plan includes four traffic cameras for a municipality of just over 26,000 residents. One is proposed for Route 99 at Maple Street, another at Route 99 at Wells Road, the third is on Berlin Turnpike at Arrow Road, and the fourth is proposed at Berlin Turnpike at Nott Street. All of those areas have a high volume of traffic, officials said in their application.
Speed-camera devices will pick up a vehicle going 10 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit. If red-light cameras are installed, they will record a vehicle failing to stop at a red light. Wethersfield’s plan only includes speed cameras.
The devices will take a picture of the offending vehicle’s license plate. This image will be reviewed by a law enforcement official. If applicable, a fine will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner, with a first offense costing $50 and subsequent offenses $75. Most municipalities will also charge a $15 administrative fee to process the fines.
The law provides 60 days for submitted plans to be reviewed by the DOT and then approved or rejected. If a plan is rejected, the DOT will provide specific justifications and guidelines on how to resubmit, a DOT spokesman said.
Once a plan is approved, it is good for three years. Municipalities can reapply once the three years are up, the DOT said.