Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Beginning tomorrow, the registered owners of vehicles caught on camera speeding on Interstate 5 through Centralia will be mailed a $137 citation.
The state Department of Transportation is implementing an automated enforcement system to encourage drivers to slow down in the construction zone between Mellen Street and Blakeslee Junction, north of Harrison Avenue.
A radar and camera unit placed in a small SUV parked near the roadway will capture images of rear license plates in both directions, according to the state agency.
It’s been done before, most recently on Interstate 90 east of Snoqualmie Pass. The program was launched in late 2008 for a widening project in Chehalis, during which more than 1,400 violations were issued, according to DOT.
The ongoing construction project is creating what officials call collection distributor lanes between exit 81 and 82, so local drivers can travel between Chehalis and Centralia without actually merging onto the freeway, according to DOT. The entire project is slated for completion in late 2015, according to DOT spokesperson Abbi Russell.
Agency spokesperson Alice Fineman notes that troopers will continue traditional speed enforcement; the fine for a police officer-issued speeding citation can exceed $400.
The speed camera is expected to be used for the next four to six weeks.
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For more details about how the automated ticketing will work, click here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
What’s with the camera’s mounted on both ends of the construction zone up on the steel light standards? They look like the same type used in casino’s. Is that just another way for big brother to monitor/spy on the people? Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling to know they are protecting us from us!
What a joke!!
State Officials and police will be exempt from speeding without their emergency lights on, police text and drive and drive without seat belts on the daily. Laws for the people and none for the law enforcers.
I think we citizens need to ALWAYS consider the actions of our government. Does the company providing the ticketing device get any percentage of the “Take”. Who has access to the photos? How can they be used? Will someone with access use that access to stalk a girlfriend (or boyfriend) or an ex- or about to be ex partner?
Yes, it is convenient and effective to use the device “as advertised”… but where are the guarantees that control our freedom?
We can sacrifice safety for freedom… any day. You might want to look up what Ben Franklin had to say about doing so.
BobbyinLC, just one ticket will pay that guys daily salary though. I also agree with webfoot. Contest your ticket. You should do that with every ticket anyways. Also, I wasn’t aware that they could just send a ticket to the owner of the vehicle. I thought they had to be able to identify the driver as well. Or at least that would be the fair way to do it.
Big brother in Lewis Co. is getting out of control. Its sad that we the people will just sit back and let it happen
In a state where I used to live they started putting blue lights in the rear light bars of the construction trucks. It did not display front facing but only towards on coming traffic. If the goal is to slow traffic down in work zones you should see how effective some blue lights mixed in with the yellow really work. Cost effective too.
DCE it is not the Centralia PD it is the DOT. Also I find it interesting in these times of difficult budgets that we as taxpayers are paying a guy to sit in that car. If you want to put a vehicle out there that takes speeders photos okay. But to pay a guy to drive it to a location and then sit in it? Too much money wasted.
drone as in police officer?
I don’t think you used the word “drone” correctly there.
Whats worse a citizen speeding or the government using drones to write tickets? Govt. is evil. Taking ur hard earned dollars to give to welfare moms to stock their fridge. The education system is failing. Look at the welfare culture being a bum never was so easy. Easier than getting a job. Communism is taking over. Robots are doing our work. Police are getting lazy. Morals are non-exist. The rush of catching their 20 something neighbor with a ‘peace pipe’ has now lost its zing. What are they gonna do now? Oh thats right retire after a short career with the ‘force.’ lol
They need to sell “Good to Go” passes for these things so you can buzz the tower when you don’t give a shit. I think I saw one of the guys who operates this thing sleeping Friday. This article fails to mention that the lil silver SUV is manned.
These type of cameras are for raising revenue! If they wanted to slow people down through a construction zone, which is a good idea, put the camera in a cop car, not hide it in a DOT vehicle.
If the people want to get rid of cameras used for enforcement (raising revenue) then EVERY ticket must be contested in court, by the people, even if you have no chance of winning. The court cost will outweigh the cost of the system.
@ Dayn – They really need a like button for comments.
Numb Nuts, this is DOT, in other words the state patrol, has nothing to do with centralia, these are DOT cameras, You need a new hobby, one which will enrich Your life rather than sucking all Your dignity away, dont thank Me, that jaw drop and trembling in anger is enough thanks…And You are welcome
I find it funny that the Centralia Police have no dash camera yet they want to use cameras to catch speeders…. This county is becoming a police state.