Drivers push back as speed cameras expand across more U.S. states

Automated speed enforcement is spreading to a growing number of U.S. jurisdictions, with Florida now deploying cameras in school zones and other states already permitting them. Proponents point to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicating that cameras can cut speeding by 70% and lower serious injuries, as demonstrated in a Maryland study. Critics, including retired Miami-Dade sheriff Carlos Acosta, contend that citations are being issued during midday hours when students are inside school buildings, suggesting a profit motive.

Attorney Ted Hollander of The Ticket Clinic is actively contesting tickets in court, describing the system as an illegal tax. Meanwhile, the Federal Highway Administration quietly removed speed cameras from its catalog of proven safety measures, a move aligned with the current administration's priorities. Representative Laura Friedman, who authored California’s camera law, emphasizes that any revenue generated must be reinvested in safety projects near the camera sites, and she notes support from constituents concerned about speeding and street racing.