Middletown Police Report Slower Drivers as Speed Camera Technology Expands Throughout Connecticut
By Kevin Gaiss | Published February 10, 2026
Middletown, CT — Since the introduction of speed enforcement cameras in Middletown six months ago, local law enforcement has observed a notable reduction in speeding, signaling safer driving habits throughout the city. Middletown Police Chief Erik Costa credits the new technology for this positive change, affirming that slower traffic is becoming the new norm on several major streets.
“Visually and operationally, we are seeing a decrease in speeds on Washington Street, Country Club Road, and Westfield Street,” Chief Costa said. “The cameras and their presence alone have done that for us.”
Impact and Revenue from Speed Cameras
Since the first camera was installed, Middletown police have issued nearly 59,000 speeding infractions statewide, accumulating $3.6 million in fines. Of that sum, over $2 million has been collected to date. After paying vendor operating costs, the city has realized approximately $1.2 million in revenue, which by law must be reinvested into roadway infrastructure and safety improvements.
“I know they already have money allocated to improving roadways,” Chief Costa noted, emphasizing that the city does not intend to rely on camera-generated revenue. “The goal is to slow people down — eventually, we want the revenue to disappear.”
Declining Citations and Safer Streets
Evidence of slowing traffic is apparent not only in reduced speeds but also in the number of citations issued. In the program’s first month last July, 13,500 citations were issued; this number dropped dramatically to about 5,000 in December.
“From start to now, those violations have come down dramatically, and that’s a positive,” Chief Costa said. He added that while motor vehicle crashes still occur—especially in busy retail areas—lower speeds help reduce the severity of injuries in accidents.
“When you take speed out of those accidents, that’s where we see injuries go down,” he explained.
Monitoring and Future Plans
The city is required to collect data over an 18-month period and submit findings to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). These insights will help evaluate the program’s effectiveness and inform renewal decisions, which occur on a three-year cycle.
“Report back to us on what’s happening, provide the data, and we have a three-year renewal process,” said Garrett Eucalitto, Connecticut DOT Commissioner. “During that time, we hope driver behavior changes and driving slowly becomes second nature. Then the cameras could be turned off or the plan may not be renewed.”
Statewide Expansion and Highway Considerations
Currently, 11 Connecticut municipalities have approved speed camera technology and are at various implementation stages. Three additional towns have plans pending with the state DOT. Early reports from these communities suggest the cameras are fulfilling their intended purpose: to slow down traffic and enhance safety.
“Experience with municipalities around the state, who have had them up, shows it is doing what it was intended to do, slow people down,” Commissioner Eucalitto said.
The state is also exploring the potential use of speed camera technology on highways. As Connecticut approaches a legislative deadline, it will present a study analyzing available highway-speed monitoring technologies and their feasibility for deployment.
“There is proven evidence on the use of local roads, but on highways, it isn’t as common, so we would be at the forefront of it,” Eucalitto stated.
Equity and Transparency in Enforcement
While the program shows promise, experts stress the importance of transparent data sharing and evaluating who the cameras impact to ensure equitable enforcement.
“We need to understand the numbers really simply: Are crashes reducing, is risky behavior reducing? We need to look at outcomes that aren’t associated with monetary or revenue means,” said Kimberly Przeszlowski, a criminal justice professor at Quinnipiac University. She added that transparency is key because not every program benefits all individuals equally.
Community Response
Chief Costa acknowledged some community skepticism surrounding the cameras but reported overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents living near camera sites.
“If you are affecting the city the right way, your constituents will realize it, keeping our children safe, me safe, and the overall community safe,” Costa said.
As traffic safety technology continues to grow across Connecticut, Middletown’s experience serves as a hopeful indicator that speed cameras can be an effective tool in creating safer streets and reducing traffic injuries.
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