The cameras were initially introduced in the state as a pilot program at work zones in 2021. The work zone cameras were installed in 2024. That paved the way for the permanent use of speed cameras at work zones. Then, this year, the first speed cameras were installed in the town of Washington.
Those cameras in the tiny town of Washington generated $21,000 in fines in their first two weeks of operation. First-time offenders face a $50 fine, while offenses after that cost $75. The fines do not count against someone's driving record, but the idea is that the penalty will deter people from routinely speeding. There are also signs placed in the area of the cameras, warning them that vehicle speed is monitored by camera.
"It's been a slow, methodical process, in terms of implementing automated enforcement technology here in the state," state Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Morgan said.
Now, the legislature has passed a law that moves Connecticut closer to speed cameras on highways.
The first step is for the state DOT to develop a plan to "expand the use of speed safety cameras on state highways," the bill says, with a plan and proposed legislation submitted, "Not later than Feb. 1, 2026."
Then, once that proposed legislation has been submitted and discussed, the legislature could move forward a bill to allow the installation of those speed cameras.
"It's not like, 'speed cameras coming to I-95 tomorrow' type of legislation," Morgan said.
Connecticut officials have been looking at various ways to crack down on reckless driving-related issues that have plagued state roadways in recent years. Last year was the second-deadliest on record for car crashes in Connecticut. The state has installed wrong-way detection systems and, at times, ramped up enforcement on highways in an effort to make the roads safer. While systems have been installed alerting drivers to their speeds throughout the state, they come without enforcement. The hope is that these cameras could slow drivers down with a financial component involved.
One question that will be asked in the coming months is whether those cameras will be stationary. They could be set up at a specific mile marker on state highways, though that might allow drivers to slow down before the cameras and then speed up later.
"Are people just going to slam on the brakes, go 55 and then as soon as they pass the camera, step on it, and then go 95 right for the rest of their way?" Morgan asked.
Another strategy is what's called a corridor system, that tracks the time a vehicle passes through a section of roadway.
"If someone gets there in X amount of minutes, the system would know there's absolutely no way you could do that without driving 90 miles an hour," Morgan explained.
"There's some thought that maybe a corridor would be better at controlling speeds, but we have to research it," Morgan said. "We're going to put together that report, submit it to the legislature, which then hopefully will allow for future conversation in the upcoming sessions about ways to use technology to make our roads safer."
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