MONUMENT, Colo. — Highway technology along several corridors will now help catch up with those entering and exiting express lanes. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announcement Express lane enforcement went into effect Dec. 1 along the Central 70, I-25 South Gap and US 36 corridors using a roadside detection system.
Denver7 covered the new technology in a “Drive you crazy” segment last year. The cameras are located above the ground and use sensors, as well as artificial intelligence-assisted software, to capture data from vehicles traveling alongside them.
This technology was first installed along the Interstate 70 Mountain Expressway corridor and will now catch drivers crossing the dual lines of Interstate 25 between Monument and Castle Rock, I-70 between I-25 and Chambers Road and US 36 between Federal Boulevard and Tableau Mesa Drive.
For people like Linsay Mintenko, who frequently travel the stretch of I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock, she hopes this app will help make driving safer.
“It’s good that it catches people coming in and out because I think it’s pretty dangerous if you’re flying down the expressway and someone stops when they’re not supposed to and you don’t expect that it could be really dangerous,” Mintenko said.
Robert Schulte frequently used I-25 as part of his commute from Monument to Denver, seeing drivers endanger others by crossing the double lines.
“We’ve seen it and it’s just one of those things where we just want people to be safe,” Schulte said. “I understand when you’re in a hurry, but just try not to be and just remember that it’s not really worth it if you don’t come out alive or if someone gets hurt.”
However, this new application raises some concerns for Schulte. He fears people are driving dangerously to avoid road technology altogether.
Shared CDOT, in a press release,the dangers of crossing double lines. The agency explained how “this behavior significantly increases the risk of accidents due to differences in speed between vehicles traveling on express lanes and those using general lanes.”
“I have mixed feelings about this. I think it’s helpful and necessary for us to enforce the laws that are in place, but at the same time, I can totally see where this could lead, where people will adopt even worse behavior to avoid the cameras,” Schulte said.
Throughout December, drivers who violate express lane rules will receive a warning which will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered address. The warning period will end effective January 1, 2025. Drivers who violate express lane rules will be assessed civil penalties with fines starting at $75 if paid within 20 days. However, if the fine is not paid after 20 days, it will increase to $150.
Road technology will now catch up with those entering and exiting expressways