North Haven’s new school-zone speed cameras recorded more than 2,000 speeding violations in their first week, police said, and every one of those drivers got off with a warning. That ends Nov. 18, when the 30-day warning period runs out and the tickets start carrying fines.
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The cameras went live Oct. 19 in the school zones around North Haven Middle School on Bailey Road and Ridge Road Elementary School on Ridge Road and Hartford Turnpike. Six cameras are in place at three locations, WFSB reported Tuesday, citing police.
What police are saying
The department shared the first-week number on Facebook with a blunt message for drivers. “Right now we’re still in the 30-day warning period, so drivers are getting warnings, not fines,” police wrote, as quoted by Patch. “That changes on November 18, when fines begin.”
“You don’t need a ticket,” the post continued. “Our kids don’t need speeding in their school zones. Slow down.”
The cameras flag drivers going 11 mph or more over the posted limit. The first-week total lines up with what the town saw before the program started: a five-day speed study last month counted more than 12,000 speeding vehicles in the same zones, WFSB reported.
What changes Nov. 18
- Warnings end: Starting Nov. 18, violations come with a fine instead of a warning.
- First violation: $50, plus a $15 processing fee.
- Later violations: $75, plus the $15 fee.
- Trigger: 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit.
- Points: None. Camera tickets do not go on your driving record.
- Review: North Haven Police review violations before they are mailed.
Where the cameras are
- North Haven Middle School: Bailey Road, from Maple Avenue to Elm Street
- Ridge Road Elementary: Ridge Road, from Buell Street to Skiff Street
- Ridge Road Elementary: Hartford Turnpike, from Oliver Drive to Skiff Street
The town’s plan has the cameras running around the clock, not only during school hours. Signs are posted at all of the locations, and the town has sent the camera locations to traffic navigation apps, police said earlier this month.
Why North Haven can do this
Connecticut lawmakers allowed towns to use speed cameras in 2023 under Public Act 23-116, as long as the state Department of Transportation approves a town’s plan first. North Haven’s plan was approved in July. The law requires the 30-day warning period, caps fines at $50 and $75 and says fine money must go toward transportation improvements or the cost of running the program. The Courier covered the details when the warning period began.
Ridge Road is also getting a closer look for safety. The town has scheduled a virtual public meeting on Nov. 16 for its Ridge Road Safety Study, which aims to reduce speeds along the corridor.
The short version: about three weeks of free warnings are left. Slow down near the schools.
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