Colorado has expanded its automated speed enforcement program to a five-mile stretch of I-25, south of Fort Collins. This move marks a significant shift in how the state manages traffic safety in high-risk corridors, specifically targeting areas where construction is underway.
How the Technology Works: Average Speed vs. Instant Radar
Unlike traditional police radar, which captures a single moment of high speed, this new system uses Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) technology to measure average speed.
The process works as follows:
1. Dual Camera Capture: A pair of cameras is placed at a set distance apart.
2. Time-Distance Calculation: The system captures the license plate of a vehicle at the first point and again at the second. It then calculates the time taken to travel between the two points.
3. Speed Verification: If the average speed over that distance exceeds the posted limit, a citation is triggered.
This method makes traditional tools like radar detectors or real-time speed alerts on apps like Waze significantly less effective, as there is no single “speed trap” moment to detect; the violation is determined by the duration of the trip through the zone.
Safety Gains and Enforcement Details
The primary goal of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is to protect workers and drivers in narrow, high-risk construction zones. These areas often lack usable shoulders, making manual police patrols dangerous for both officers and motorists.
The effectiveness of this approach is already evident:
* Proven Results: During a 30-day warning period prior to the April 2 launch, CDOT reported a 90% reduction in excessive speeding within the targeted zone.
* Penalty Structure: Violators receive a $75 civil penalty via mail.
* No License Points: Because the system identifies the vehicle rather than the driver, no points are added to the driver’s license.
* Revenue Reinvestment: Most funds collected are cycled back into the Speed Enforcement Program.
The “Ghost Vehicle” Loophole
While the system is highly effective at changing driver behavior, it faces a significant structural challenge: unregistered vehicles.
In Colorado, there is a growing trend of drivers operating vehicles without visible license plates or failing to register them entirely. Because these cameras rely entirely on plate recognition, vehicles without plates can bypass the enforcement zone without consequence. This same issue has been noted with express-lane tolling systems, highlighting a persistent gap in automated traffic enforcement.
Note for Drivers: The cameras are preceded by warning signs at least 300 feet in advance. If you are speeding when you pass the first camera, you can still avoid a fine by slowing down sufficiently before reaching the second camera to bring your average speed within the legal limit.
Conclusion
By moving from instant radar to average-speed monitoring, Colorado is successfully curbing dangerous speeding in construction zones. However, the program’s long-term efficacy remains tied to the state’s ability to address the widespread issue of unregistered and unplated vehicles.
