Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project for the Enforcement of Laws Regarding Traffic Control Devices·
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1709
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: BEAUDOIN, MARLEY, HOBBINS, HOGAN, PERRY, WALCOTT

Legislative Document 
No. 1709 
H.P.1192 
House of Representatives, March 23, 2007 
Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project for the Enforcement of Laws 
Regarding Traffic Control Devices· 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford. 
77l~ 
/J7.1l!~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representative MARLEY of Portland, Senator HOBBINS of York and 
Representatives: HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach, PERRY of Calais, WALCOTT of Lewiston. 
Printed on re<:ycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, persons who fail to obey traffic control devices pose a danger to other 
drivers and pedestrians; and 
Whereas, it is imperative that the State act as quickly as possible to rectify this 
practice; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Traffic control device enforcement project. Resolved: That the 
Department of Transportation shall establish a pilot project to encourage motorists to 
obey traffic control devices, including, but not limited to, traffic lights and stop signs, and 
to increase the prosecution of those who fail to obey traffic control devices. 
The 
department shall implement the pilot project no later than 60 days following the effective 
date of this resolve. 
The department shall establish the project in Biddeford. 
The 
department shall determine and implement methods of increased enforcement, such as 
using cameras to photograph vehicles and their operators who violate the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2057. In addition, the department shall consider changes to 
the law, including providing strict liability for a violation of Title 29-A, section 2057, that 
would lead to a decrease in such violations. 
The department shall report the results of the pilot project and its findings, 
recommendations and implementing legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation no later than January 15, 2008. The committee may submit a bill to the 
the committee regarding increased enforcement of traffic control device violations and 
methods of decreasing the incidence of such violations. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Transportation to implement a pilot project 
in Biddeford to encourage motorists to obey traffic control devices, including the use of 
cameras to photograph violators and their vehicles. The department is also required to 
determine statutory changes that would lead to the deterrence of such violations, such as 
making it a strict liability crime. 
The department is required to submit a report, including the results of the project and 
recommended implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation no later than January 15,2008.