Committee Won't Recommend Speed Cameras, But Lawmakers May Push For It In 2020

A legislative study committee decided Wednesday not to recommend the General Assembly legalize cameras to catch speeding motorists in highway construction zones.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the 2020 session.

Lawmakers tried and failed a few years ago to allow cameras in highway construction zones that would catch drivers exceeding the speed limit. There seemed to be momentum building this summer for a study committee recommendation to pass such a bill. But the panel opted against it.

Still, Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) says there’s a better chance than ever speed cameras will become legal.

“The number of rear end collisions we’ve had with fatalities is starting to trouble of a lot of folks,” Soliday says.

Study committee Chair Sen. Mike Crider (R-Greenfield) says despite no recommendation, he expects proposed legislation next session to legalize the cameras as part of a broader conversation.

“We’re going to have a lot of talk about distracted driving in general,” Crider says.

The 2020 session begins in January.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.