Smile: Greenwich School Zone Cameras are Here—I-95 and the Merritt are Next
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
If it feels like your morning commute has become a gauntlet of digital eyes, you aren't imagining it. Between the nine school-zone cameras now fully active in Greenwich and a new push for automated enforcement on Connecticut’s major highways, the "speed tax" has officially arrived in Fairfield County.
The Local Greenwich Learning Curve
The "learning curve" for Greenwich school zones is officially over. After a staggered rollout late last year, the Town is now in full citation mode. The numbers are eye-popping: in January 2026 alone, Greenwich Police issued 7,225 violations.
At $50 for a first offense and $75 for every one after that, the program is a significant revenue generator, but the Town insists the goal is purely behavioral. Police Chief Jim Heavey previously noted that the mere presence of these cameras (at locations like North Street and Eagle Hill) led to a nearly 90% reduction in speeding during the initial warning phases. Still, with over 7,000 tickets mailed in a single month, it's clear many drivers are still struggling to adjust to the 10-mph-over threshold.
The State Highway Surveillance
Just as residents are memorizing the camera locations in town, the State is moving to bring that same technology to the highways. On March 18, 2026, the legislature’s Transportation Committee unanimously advanced a bill for a two-year pilot program targeting "high-risk" stretches of I-95, I-84, and the Merritt Parkway.
Unlike the school zones, which trigger at 10 mph over the limit, the highway cameras will reportedly target drivers going 15 mph or more over the limit. The fines are also steeper: $75 for the first ticket and $200 for subsequent violations. If passed by the full legislature, the pilot is slated to run from January 1, 2027, through the end of 2028.
Between the Lines: We’ve traded the hidden patrol car for a high-res algorithm. Call it safety or a revenue grab—either way, your commute is getting a lot more expensive.