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Pennsylvania lawmakers seem to be in the right "gear" on the issue of speed cameras in work zones. However, they are wrong in their limited approach regarding the issue.
If the cameras truly are aimed primarily at making work zones safer, highway workers in all regions of the state should have the opportunity to benefit from them, not just some of those working in the Philadelphia area.
The Express is not advocating speed cameras everywhere a highway or bridge repair is underway, small projects as well as large ones. What is being advocated, instead, is opening speed-camera eligibility to major, busy roadways in all regions of the commonwealth, not limiting them to southeastern Pennsylvania.
Judging from the Legislature's prolonged inconclusiveness in considering whether speed-camera use should be made permanent just in the Philadelphia area, it is reasonable to be pessimistic about the chances for the cameras to see light of day in central or western Pennsylvania anytime soon.
An appropriate question is why the Legislature can't purge itself from the speed-camera "tiptoe' dance within which it is mired, even though the ultimate desirable answer seems to be so obvious to right-thinking people who understand the pain and suffering of families that have lost a parent, a child or other relative in an avoidable, tragic work zone incident.
Specifically, the legislation on the table for lawmakers to consider at this time involves elimination of sunset dates for the programs authorizing speed cameras in work zones on certain roadways.
In June, the full House of Representatives approved legislation to eliminate the sunset date for the program allowing such cameras on Philadelphia's Roosevelt Boulevard. That legislation also would allow Philadelphia officials to place speed cameras on other roads in their city, as deemed necessary.
The Senate obviously has been in no hurry to act on that measure, meaning that the Roosevelt speed camera program will sunset in December if the Senate does not concur with the House. Meanwhile, the work zone speed camera program will expire in February, if lawmakers fail to extend it.
It must be acknowledged that there might be at least one good reason why work on the sunset measures has not gotten beyond its current point. That is lawmakers' decision aimed toward adding protections for motorists driving through work areas.
The proposed provisions in question require the placing of warning signs, including one with flashing lights, 1,000 feet ahead of the work zone to alert motorists about speed cameras being in place. Additionally, the legislation would allow vehicle owners to dispute speeding tickets if they weren't driving -- and also not to disclose who was driving if they assert that they were not behind the wheel.
Still, one major fault of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, not just now but in decades past as well, especially at budget-passing time, has been its penchant for prolonged last-minute legislating that oftentimes has served no useful purpose and kept other worthy proposals on hold.
Lawmakers need to rethink that far-too-frequent strategy.
According to state Department of Transportation data, work zone crashes are 50% less likely to happen in work zones with speed cameras in place.
What a great reason not to continue the procrastination regarding the sunset provisions and to look seriously at expanding the cameras program to Harrisburg and points westward.