Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project for the Enforcement of Laws Regarding Traffic Control Devices

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  persons who fail to obey traffic control devices pose a danger to other drivers and pedestrians; and

Whereas,  it is imperative that the State act as quickly as possible to rectify this practice; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Traffic control device enforcement project. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall establish a pilot project to encourage motorists to obey traffic control devices, including, but not limited to, traffic lights and stop signs, and to increase the prosecution of those who fail to obey traffic control devices. The department shall implement the pilot project no later than 60 days following the effective date of this resolve. The department shall establish the project in Biddeford. The department shall determine and implement methods of increased enforcement, such as using cameras to photograph vehicles and their operators who violate the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2057. In addition, the department shall consider changes to the law, including providing strict liability for a violation of Title 29-A, section 2057, that would lead to a decrease in such violations.

The department shall report the results of the pilot project and its findings, recommendations and implementing legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than January 15, 2008. The committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature implementing the recommendations of the committee regarding increased enforcement of traffic control device violations and methods of decreasing the incidence of such violations.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Transportation to implement a pilot project in Biddeford to encourage motorists to obey traffic control devices, including the use of cameras to photograph violators and their vehicles. The department is also required to determine statutory changes that would lead to the deterrence of such violations, such as making it a strict liability crime.

The department is required to submit a report, including the results of the project and recommended implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than January 15, 2008.