Traffic Enforcement Using Cameras

Posted bycjprechtPosted inTransportationTags:,

This memorandum provides an introduction to traffic enforcement using cameras.

Cameras are statutorily authorized for use by municipalities in 36 states and the District of Columbia for enforcement of traffic laws, most commonly in enforcement related to speeding, full stops at red lights, and passing school buses that are stopped with the stop arm extended. State laws authorize municipalities or certain municipalities to use such cameras under certain circumstances. Toll agencies, including the Kansas Turnpike Authority, also use video enforcement for toll collection.

United States map showing Authorized Uses of Cameras for Law Enforcement in the U.S.

The map below shows the uses for which states authorize traffic enforcement came the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways or similar city ordinances. The following bills have been introduced, but not enacted, in Kansas in recent years to authorize cameras on school buses to identify any vehicle passing a school bus stopped with the stop arm extended and lights flashing: 2023 HB 2251, 2021-2022 HB 2154, 2019-2020 SB 472 and HB 2532, 2017- 2018 HB 2040, and 2016 HB 2470.

Proponents generally state camera enforcement can help reduce behaviors that put lives and property at risk and act as a force multiplier for law enforcement agencies. Opponents have stated enforcement without a law enforcement officer present is unmerited, and enforcement from images could be used for surveillance or to raise revenues for the local government.

Costs of Crashes

Information in the 2021 Kansas Traffic Crash Facts Annual Accidents Facts Book published by the Kansas Department of Transportation ― which notes 57,598 total crashes, 424 fatalities, and 17,479 people injured in 2021 ― includes the following about types of violations that traffic cameras are most frequently used to enforce in other states:

  • Estimated costs of $6.8 billion for 32,927 crashes involving driver infractions;
  • 4,479 crashes that were speed related, 75 fatalities, 1,969 injured, with associated economic costs of $1.5 billion; and
  • 1,237 crashes in work zones, 6 fatalities, 385 injured, and associated costs of $168.6 million.

Each crash can have more than one contributing factor, but driver inattention was most common (11,939 crashes). Other top driver-contributing circumstances noted were right-of-way violations (No. 2, noted for 6,568 crashes), followed too closely (No. 3, 4,596 crashes), and driving too fast for conditions (No. 4, 3,944 crashes).

School Bus Violations

The April 2023 Kansas One Day Stop Arm Violation Count found, for the 2,857 buses of 223 districts participating, 676 instances of a vehicle passing when the stop arm was extended.

State Policy Choices

States crafting policy for use of such cameras have many policy choices, such as:

  • Which entities can use camera enforcement;
  • In what capacities contractors can be involved;
  • Whether a traffic violation documented with use of a camera will be a criminal or a civil offense;
  • Whether a law enforcement officer or another type of government employee must review images before notices of violation are sent;
  • Whether information about camera-enforced violations can be used for insurance purposes or determining whether the driver’s license should be restricted or suspended;
  • Whether the images can be used for any purpose other than enforcement of the specific violation;
  • What elements must be present in, or omitted from, the image (e.g., an image of the driver);
  • The image retention period; and
  • Whether and how information is made available to drivers about the presence of enforcement cameras.

Additional Resources

Additional sources of information include:

by Eric Adell
Research Analyst
785-296-4404

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