re: Atchafalaya Basin Speed Cameras?

Happy ticket day baws!

Mad because you can't speed like you want?

I made a round trip across the Basin Bridge yesterday.

Met up with several Troopers and Parish Deputies running radar on the bridge itself and the Henderson cops were out in force as well.

This is very out of character for me but…

After my last time stuck for an hour on the basin, and seeing the carnage after we finally were let through, I’m in favor of stricter enforcement.

I’m sorry, but everyone doing 85, with limited ability to avoid unexpected pileups immediately in front of you is inherently more dangerous than everyone doing 60 mph.

Yes the semis are the biggest danger, but I can take evasive action easier at the slower speed.

But the big question is “ will the cameras slow down Lamar Davis ?”

I would never pay any sort of camera fine. Problem is I drive a company vehicle 90% of the time and cross that bridge 3 days a week. The "ticket" would get mailed to my company. Guess I'll be setting my cruise on 54.

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After my last time stuck for an hour on the basin, and seeing the carnage after we finally were let through, I’m in favor of stricter enforcement.

I’m sorry, but everyone doing 85, with limited ability to avoid unexpected pileups immediately in front of you is inherently more dangerous than everyone doing 60 mph.

Yes the semis are the biggest danger, but I can take evasive action easier at the slower speed.

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Probably caused by someone slamming the brakes when their radar detector went off.

If the wrecks and deaths drop then I will eat crow, but I seriously doubt that will happen. My prediction is they will either stay the same or even increase because more cars will be packed on the bridge due to the slower speeds.

If we assume the average speed on the bridge is 70, dropping it to 60 will increase the vehicle density by 17%. The average speed is probably closer to 75 though, so vehicle density will be increased by 25%. In the space there used to be 100 cars, there will now be about 120.

This is Louisiana though, so trying to solve a traffic problem by creating more traffic is par for the course. And I fully expect them to stick with it regardless of the results as long as someone is getting paid.

It will be a while before the cameras go up. This is from the DOTD yesterday.

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DOTD to install new signs along Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Safety Corridor
Tuesday, August 02, 2022 at 10:46:40 AM
Iberville/ St. Martin Parishes- Beginning Aug. 5, motorists will notice additional signs placed along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. These signs are part of a three-phase process, in response to Senate Bill 435 / ACT 426 that established the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge as a highway safety corridor.

The first phase consists of installing additional signage throughout this corridor. Crews will be installing “Higher Fines” signs near the bridge approaches on I-10 at both ends, as well as on the on-ramps at the Whiskey Bay and Butte LaRose exits. There will also be “Safety Corridor” signs placed before the bridge approaches to warn motorists of the changes.

Phase two consists of placing automated radar feedback signs that display motorists’ speed throughout this 18-mile stretch. These signs are to warn motorists to slow down when traveling too fast. The “Radar Feedback” signs are currently under design and DOTD anticipates letting this project out for bid by the end of the year.

The third phase will be the placement of cameras that will monitor the speed of motorists. The camera system is still under design, as well as the placement and process of how the department will monitor and enforce these fines.

In 2021, motor vehicle crashes increased statewide, with a total of 971 fatalities, an increase of 17 percent from 2020. This highway safety corridor will focus on reducing the number of fatal crashes, which often keeps the basin bridge closed to traffic for hours at a time. The safety cameras will reduce speeding and therefore reduce the speeding differential, which can lead to serious crashes, especially since the bridge has narrow shoulders with little room to recover for those traveling at excess speeds.

All construction activity is weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. DOTD appreciates the motoring public’s patience and reminds drivers to please exercise caution when traveling through work zone areas and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

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DOTD Camera Announcement

For the moron who did not think this was real, a link to the Act

ETA: The fines are now in effect if you are pulled over by an officer.

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The safety cameras will reduce speeding and therefore reduce the speeding differential, which can lead to serious crashes

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Hey dipshits, dropping speeds on one section of interstate and not the whole damned thing increases the speed differential exactly where you are trying to avoid it.

And your "radar feedback" signs should be renamed to "slam your fricking brakes" signs because that's what's going to happen. And with 20% more vehicles on the bridge at all times, that sounds like a recipe for safety right?