FHWA Releases New Speed Safety Camera Guidance

What happened: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) April 21 issued updated guidance on the use of speed safety cameras (also known as automated speed enforcement, photo enforcement or photo radar) as a key component of a comprehensive speed management program.

Why it matters: Speeding is one of the most common factors in vehicle crashes in the U.S., and cameras are a proven strategy to make motorists obey posted speed limits in work zones. The new guidance mirrors many of the recommendations made by ARTBA’s Safety Forum in its white paper on automated speed enforcement.

What’s next: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) lets state agencies use a portion of their federal allocations to pay for speed safety cameras but they must first enact legislation allowing their use in work zones. New York, Indiana, and Washington State recently passed authorizing legislation, and Michigan and Kentucky are moving bills through legislatures. Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have used automated speed enforcement in work zones for a number of years. ARTBA encourages members to advocate for use of speed safety cameras to improve work zone safety across the nation.