New speed cameras in NY.

They just sent this out to all the union heads in NYPD:

"It has just been brought to my attention that beginning tomorrow NYS DOT will have mobile automated speed enforcement cameras set up at any and possibly all work zone areas on all state highways such as 84, 87, Taconic, etc. These tickets will be issued the same as speed camera tickets in NYC.

 Cameras that definitely started today are on I-84 near the Connecticut state line and on the Taconic State Pkwy at the Croton Reservoir Bridge."

But Governor, you just got a new helicopter!

I've almost been clipped countless times doing roadwork. I have zero sympathy for those who get tickets.

In reply to Appleseed :

I'd like to appreciate that. I can see how that is a life threatening hazard to you.

But in my neck of the woods, flaggers get run down where there is almost never an actual posted construction speed limit. Where there is an actual posted construction speed limit, the workers are almost always hundreds of feet from the flow of traffic. NY and where you live may be very different. In my state, if somebody was getting a speeding ticket in a construction zone and was a risk to actual construction workers, they are most likely breaking several other laws and violating construction barricades and direction. Out in Montana one will find 10 miles of "construction" with a speed limit drop to 45 or 30 from 60. And yet there won't be any construction personnel on site.

It also entirely depends on the variance of those cameras to the set speed. Within 5 is generally reasonable in normal life. Within 3 in construction zones may be a stretch.

The school zone cameras give you 10mph. Having been hit on the side of the road myself and losing a friend that way I have no sympathy for anyone ticketed. 

Johnboyjjb said:

Out in Montana one will find 10 miles of "construction" with a speed limit drop to 45 or 30 from 60.

That adds what, another ten minutes to your trip.

Depends how it's actually implemented. Color me skeptical.

We absolutely want people slowing down and being more careful in construction zones.

I think if that is *really* the goal, the best response would be to post a couple highway patrol cruisers very visibly in active work zones. People slow down for a black-and-whites.

It's possible speed cameras are a more cost effective way to cover more area. That maybe they're not *as* effective as a patrol cruiser, but still get people to think and pay more attention. Possibly. But I think they would need to be used selectively to really be effective.

If you blanket every work zone with speed cameras, whether there are actually people working there or not, people will stop associating speed cameras with worker safety, because you've cried "wolf" too much. They will learn to slow down *just* enough to not get a ticket.

I got hit by one on the PA turnpike last month driving home. Traffic wasn't really slowing much. Got a notice for being above the 11mph grace zone. They were kind enough that the first one was a warning, not a ticket yet. That also explains my thoughts of, "I'm going the speed of traffic. Are they really going to give *all* of these cars tickets?" I was going maybe 3-5mph faster than the rest of traffic that knew to do 8-9mph over the limit.

Speed cameras are not selective and can't make judgment calls.

I think if this were really about construction zone safety, they'd use a different enforcement mechanism.

Heck, use drones with bright flashing orange lights equipped with a camera and speed radar. Put up signs that say, "Speed Limit Enforce by Aerial Drone". Have them go back and forth at selective times. That would be way cheaper than a patrol car, and way more effective than a stationary camera that is on all the time.

...so... I just had an idea for a product to sell to State Highway patrols. Anyone want to work with me to figure out how to make this reality?

The construction zones in my area always have a cruiser posted with the lights on just inside the start of the zone when work is actually underway.

They *are* paying attention and *will* chase down violators. It's never happened to me, but I witness a supreme karmic moment where some dipE36 M3 weaving in and out of traffic hit the speed zone hot and got the highway patrol's undivided attention for a bit.

In reply to Beer Baron :

Funny you mention that as I've seen a few state troopers with the berries on during nighttime construction. People definitely slow down.

In reply to Beer Baron :

The cameras in school zones here have worked mostly as intended, as have bus lane cameras with the tickets issued dropping off after the first few months.  Posting a cop idling in a car with lights going is a waste of time and money, more so once it gets plowed into which happens with disappointing frequency. We've decided as a group we can't be trusted not to run into things. 

In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :

Cool. As long as they've been tested to show a result of actually changing hazardous behavior and not just an easy way to generate revenue.

I still think there's money to be made with a radar drone.

In reply to stuart in mn :

It's not about the 10 minutes. It's about what little goodwill construction crews are given being wasted by unneccasarily controlling traffic in areas that don't require control.
How many of those empty construction speed zones would you go through at 30 while getting blasted by cars and semis maintaining 60+ before you stop slowing as much?

I just went through one of the zones mentioned. There were two electronic sign boards, both folded down - one appeared to have a camera box mounted on the base. There was no work going on, and all lanes were open. No signage of any sort indicating speed cameras. I'm speculating that they will put the signs up when the zone is active, and that the signs will indicate the speed enforcement. Of course, that would be logically consistent with actually protecting workers, and not simply generating revenue, and this being NY state we're talking about....

I just did a cannonball run from somewhere in the great lakes to somewhere in the south down I-57 - which is currently 100% construction zones with no work being performed and speed cameras.  

The secret?  A nice new clean unmarked F250 (all white, steel wheels, white service cap) with no plates and no company logos.  Put the hammer down and go.  Blew past a few smokies at Mach II and I don't think I even woke them from their slumber.  

Upside:  Shaved 2 hours off the Google estimated time, including stopping for gas and a bathroom.

Downside: 10.2 MPG empty due to a stiff headwind and pushing a big white brick down the freeway.