Agenda Text
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In support of Senate bill #1545, An Act Relative to Automated Enforcement.
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Official Text
WHEREAS, 50 pedestrians and 10 bicyclists, and 334 total travelers, were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in Massachusetts in 2020, which is only slightly fewer than the number of fatalities in previous years despite a significant reduction in traffic due to the stay-at-home advisory related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Drivers speeding or running red lights are responsible for many of these deaths, and data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show that from 2014 to 2017 red-light running resulted in 28% of annual fatalities nationwide at signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, Speeding has even worse consequences, and data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System show that speeding was associated with 29% of traffic deaths nationwide from 2009 to 2018; and
WHEREAS, The City of Somerville contains a growing number of lanes designated for the exclusive use of buses, which are less effective when they are blocked by parked or moving motor vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Over 340 communities in the U.S. use red light cameras and over 161 communities use cameras to enforce speed laws as of July, 2021, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; and
WHEREAS, A review of 28 automated speed enforcement studies found that the cameras at intersections reduced crashes between 8% and 49% (National Transportation Safety Board); and
WHEREAS, In Maryland, a study showed that the proportion of drivers traveling more than 10 mph above the speed limit declined by about 70% for locations with warning signs and speed camera enforcement (Traffic Injury Prevention Journal); and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the biased and sometimes deadly practices of US police forces, and that the most common police interaction is a traffic stop, automated enforcement can be a tool that reduces the potential for violent interactions between police officers and community members; and
WHEREAS, This bill is consistent with, and necessary for, the successful implementation of the Somerville Vision Zero Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, This bill requires public notice of enforcement camera operation and locations, enhancing education about safe vehicle operations and ensuring transparency; and
WHEREAS, This bill contains provisions designed to protect the privacy of vehicle owners and drivers and also requires annual statewide reporting and study of unintended racial or socioeconomic enforcement disparities; and
WHEREAS, The bill requires the Mass Department of Transportation to publish a report at least once every two years on the public safety and racial and social equity impacts of the programs; and
WHEREAS, The bill forbids municipalities from contracting with vendors for automated enforcement services with incentives based on the number of tickets issued; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, That the Somerville City Council supports the enactment of Senate No.1545, An Act Relative to Automated Enforcement; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the Somerville City Council intends to adopt the local option once the state legislation is signed into law; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk communicate this resolution to Somerville’s delegation in the State Legislature and to Governor Charlie Baker.