Michigan House Bill Could Put Enforcement Cameras In Construction Zones

Could traffic enforcement cameras be coming soon to a Michigan construction zone near you? If Michigan House Bill 4132 makes any headway with lawmakers in Lansing they will.

If the bill makes it to Governor Whitmer's desk as written, drivers who disobey posted speed limits or violate other laws in construction zones will be subject to written warnings followed by increasing fines. Under the proposed legislation, speeders would receive a warning in the mail for the first violation. A second violation within a three-year period would result in a $150 and a third would increase the fine to $300.

Cameras would automatically detect drivers going 10mph over the speed limit where workers are present. In fact, it's the construction workers who are part of the push for the legislation moving forward. Concerns for their safety and continued disregard for posted limits fuel the need for a solution.

Construction worker safety is important, but it's hard to ignore the reality that if passed, you could receive a surprise letter from law enforcement and a fine several days after the incident.

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With Michigan roads already having a reputation for being...bumpy...the need for a smoother drive and fewer potholes seems higher than ever. That said, construction season in the Mitten State coincides with warm weather and increased travel. No one enjoys hitting a construction zone on their way to a weekend getaway, but if drivers were to simply slow down and embrace the zipper merge, then our commutes would speed up and the incidents of accidents would decrease.

Maybe the answer to avoiding highway construction traffic is to find "the backway". The scenery is better, especially here in Michigan. Backroads aren't free of delays though—just be on the lookout for deer and tractors heading to the field.