Michigan work zones, school buses to use cameras to catch traffic violators

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a group of bills Tuesday that aim to  increase safety using traffic cameras
• They include automated speed enforcement systems in construction zones and cameras on the stop-arms of school buses 
• Drivers who speed in work zones or who don’t stop for school buses can be ticketed

Michigan’s work zones and school buses will be equipped with cameras to reduce speed, prevent crashes and catch those who fail to stop.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a group of bipartisan “commonsense” bills on Tuesday aimed at increasing road safety through use of automated speed enforcement systems in work zones and stop-arm cameras on buses. 

In 2023, there were over 8,000 construction work zone-related crashes including 24 fatalities, in Michigan, according to data from the Michigan State Police.

Individuals caught on camera who exceed the speed limit in a work zone by 10 miles or more can be issued a written warning using a form that is created by the automated speed enforcement system for the first violation. They will be fined up to $150 for a second violation that occurs within three years of the warning and may be charged up to $300 for subsequent violations. 

“In Michigan, we’re focused on fixing the damn roads and making sure people are safe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands,” said Whitmer in a press statement. “Whether they’re driving on them or working on them, these bills will make sure that every Michigander is safe on our roads.” 

Related:

• Back-to-school road safety tips for Michigan drivers, students and parents
• Michigan crashes: Deaths fall in 2023, work zone accidents up. What to know
• Michigan moves to use cameras to issue speeding tickets in construction zones
• Opinion | Install work zone cameras for speeders to save workers’ lives

Michigan is now one of 24 states that use automated speed enforcement systems in work zones to reduce speeds and protect construction workers. 

“Maintaining Michigan’s roads is vital for our state’s economic development and success,” said state Rep, Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, sponsor of House Bill 4132 in a press statement. “In order to accomplish this, we must first ensure that our road workers are safe while doing their jobs. This legislation will help combat speeding and reckless driving in construction zones, which will protect our essential road workers and drivers alike.”

Whitmer also signed House Bills 4928, 4929, and 4930, which use stop-arm camera systems on school buses to track violations for failure to stop. The systems can capture video or photographs of cars, including license plate numbers. Violators could face a civil fine of up to $500.

The money generated from these violations will be given to school districts to install more cameras. 

“Riding the bus to school should be a safe and fun experience for our children, plain and simple,” said state Rep.Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, sponsor of the bill in a press statement. “We’ve worked hard to discourage people from dangerously driving around school buses during the pick-up and drop-off period.” 

What to do when a school bus stops

Michigan law requires drivers to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red flashing lights and stop arms extended, whether they are behind the school bus or driving in the opposite direction.

Even if a bus is stopped on a multi-lane street, drivers on either side of the road must stop until the road is clear and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.

If a bus has stopped on a divided highway, drivers behind the bus must stop but drivers on the opposite side of the road don’t need to stop if there is a raised barrier separating the lanes. But, these motorists should still be cautious and watch for students getting on or off the bus.