PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island lawmakers are mulling legislation that would allow for traffic cameras to give an automatic ticket to drivers who illegally block an intersection.
State law already prohibits drivers from “blocking the box,” or stopping in an intersection after the traffic light turns red. If caught, drivers can be fined up to $500 for blocking an intersection.
The legislation would allow cities and towns to program traffic cameras to take photographs of vehicles that are illegally blocking an intersections. Those images would then be reviewed by officers and a ticket would be issued by mail if it’s determined that the driver broke the law.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday that this is a “chronic problem” in the capital city that needs to be addressed.
In Providence, first-time violators receive a $100 ticket and second-time offenders are fined $250. Drivers who continue to break the law after that are then hit with a $500 ticket for subsequent violations.
“The goal here is to not actually raise revenue, but rather to change behavior,” Smiley explained.
But not everyone is on board.
“We’re going to be in the box when we’re in traffic, I’m sorry,” Jeremy Costa told lawmakers. “Until we have fixed the bridge, we shouldn’t be considering trying to increase citations.”
No vote was taken on the legislation, which has been held for further study.
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