To the editor:

On June 10, Barrington's Town Council will vote on installing speed cameras on Sowams and New Meadow. Why is this a good idea? A Feb. 2025 speed study reported that 47 percent on Sowams and 56 percent of cars on New Meadow were speeding during school hours. Shockingly, 10 percent of those speeding on Sowams were going 40 mph or above.  

A vehicle going 40 mph has nearly five times the probability of killing someone it hits than if it were going 25 mph. Decades-long experience with speed cameras has shown that they calm traffic, are easily installed, and reduce the risk of death and serious injury by 25 percent or more. These reductions are maintained or reduced over time.

As a public health researcher, I echo (Barrington Police) Chief (Michael) Correia’s sentiment shared within the speed study where he states "I do not believe the best course of action is to wait for tragedy.” Why are we not listening to the police? He has told us that despite focused efforts and a presence within the school zones, speeding is common and dangerous. 

The opposition cites concerns around surveillance, money going to the speed camera company, or proposes speed bumps. First, citing speed cameras as a primary mechanism for surveillance in a world saturated with CCTV, camera phones, and video-recorded porches is ridiculous. Speed cameras will not change the level to which we as a society are surveilled, but they will consistently and unbiasedly ensure that those speeding are fined. Second, infractions will be validated and approved by the Barrington Police Department. Concerning cost: cameras will be installed and maintained at zero cost to the town and 60 percent of the revenue generated from fines will go to a dedicated sidewalk and bike path infrastructure fund for the town. Finally, Sowams and New Meadow are state-owned roads — the town cannot install speed bumps, narrow the roadways, or do other traffic calming measures. This is our best option to calm traffic now. The inconvenience of an additional 1-2 minutes on your drive is worth protecting the children, walkers, and bikers of this community. Please support speed cameras in Barrington. A petition is currently circulating on change.org. Please consider signing and sharing.

Thank you, 

Joella Adams, MPH, PhD

Barrington