Are Police in Maine Legally Allowed to Use Traffic Cameras to Issue Speeding Tickets?

If you have your driver's license, we don't doubt that you occasionally speed.  Don't deny it.  We know you do it.  It's okay.  We won't judge, because we occasionally do it too.

Most of us know where we can go faster than the legal limit and by how much we can go over the limit without running into legal problems.  Of course, if that statey or local cop doesn't catch us on radar, we're going to get away free and clear, right?

Apparently, this is not the case everywhere in the United States.

*NOTE – We do not condone breaking any traffic laws.  Breaking traffic rules could lead to legal trouble, serious injury, or death.

Over the last few years, we have been hearing a lot about law enforcement agencies in other states being able to issue speeding tickets based only on CCTV traffic cameras.

Most recently, one of our sister stations reported on how police were going to start using traffic cameras to issue speeding tickets on Interstate 84 and Interstate 87 in New York state.

New York is not alone, either.  According to the IIHS, over two dozen states have laws that allow cameras to be used to enforce speed.  Of course, the rules vary from state to state.  In some places, the cameras can be anywhere.  In others, they can only be in certain places like school and work zones, for example.

What About Maine?

If you like to put the pedal to the metal, we have some good news.  Law enforcement agencies are currently not allowed to use traffic cameras to enforce speed.

According to the Maine Legislature website, the rule reads:

Except as provided in subsections 1 and 2, the State or a municipality may not use a traffic surveillance camera to prove or enforce a violation of this Title.

Of course, there are some places where you will still find traffic cameras.  They can be used on school buses, and also to enforce the payment of tolls.

Of course, we hope that you'll follow the rules of the road, regardless of how easy it would be to avoid getting stopped.