Trump administration says it will limit funds for speed cameras
Source: Washington Post
February 2, 2026 at 11:14 a.m. EST
The Trump administration is restricting cities from using road safety grants for automated cameras that enforce speed limits or other traffic laws, part of a shift away from safety measures that might slow or otherwise inconvenience car travel. The letters to city officials went out in December, saying that for consistency with Administration priorities, traffic cameras outside of school or work zones will not be approved under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
The program was created by the 2021 infrastructure law and funds projects aimed at eliminating traffic deaths. This Administration will not allow critical safety dollars to subsidize the purchase of speed cameras so governments can pursue unfair revenue schemes, U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman Nathaniel Sizemore said in a statement.
Proposals to extend sidewalk curbs farther into a roadway are also barred, although the number of exceptions is greater: transit stops, roundabouts, school zones, on-street parking and curb extensions that dont take away lanes of traffic, according to the letters from the U.S. Department of Transportation. As with other administration grants, the language also says any equity analysis is disqualifying.
The cities had been awarded grants but did not yet have a signed agreement with the White House for their implementation. Until that happens, funds can be clawed back. The Trump administration has previously said grants that include reducing lane capacity for vehicles with bike lanes or pedestrian infrastructure are hostile to cars and counter to DOTs priority of preserving or increasing roadway capacity for motor vehicles.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2026/02/02/speed-cameras-road-safety-grants/
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Cars over people.
Dave Bowman
(6,885 posts)jls4561
(2,906 posts)Cars killing people by running over them.
But dont worry, if you feel in danger, you can shoot the driver. Or does that apply only if youre a goon of the state?
underpants
(195,470 posts)No one likes speed cameras but they work.
VDOT put one in the back of an unmanned pickup just west of Williamsburg (New Kent Co) in a construction zone. I think it was $200 a pop and they got hundreds of people from what I understand. Every single speeding car got a ticket in the mail. Word got around.
groundloop
(13,624 posts)The company sends out violation notices, collects fines, etc. To me it's wrong that local governments are ceding their authority to enforce the law to private contractors.
BUT, I really have to wonder why tRump is clamping down on speed cameras, probably nothing more than one of his buddies got a ticket.