The Senate Appropriations Committee heard SB 179 authored by Sen. Ford, which authorizes use of automated traffic control systems in highway worksites. The bill permits INDOT to use this pilot in an active highway worksite (workers must be present), provided INDOT conducts a public information campaign in the worksite area and signs are posted. The equipment collects the vehicle’s speed and a photograph of the rear of the vehicle. This photograph is confidential. To be ticketed, a vehicle must be travelling 11 mph over the posted limit. The first offense is a written warning, the second offense results in a $75 fine, subsequent offenses result in a $150 fine. If a vehicle is ticketed and the vehicle owner was not driving, the vehicle owner (or fleet owner) may dispute the ticket by providing the actual driver’s name and address. The ticket will then be re-issued to the actual driver.
Two amendments were offered and adopted by consent:
- First amendment removes the fallen state police family relief fund. All fines collected will instead be used to pay for the automated ticketing system equipment.
- Second amendment replaces “work zone” and “worksite zone” in the relevant statutes with the term “worksite”; requires INDOT and the Indiana State Police to share information, and permits INDOT to use a third-party contractor.
A representative from Indiana Constructors Inc. testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 10 – 1.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/senate/179