Drivers who speed through construction zones and intersections could receive citations in the mail if a budget proposal from Gov. Jim Doyle passes.

The plan would allow police departments throughout the state to set up cameras at intersections and in highway construction zones to catch speeders. A picture would be taken of the vehicles, including the license plate and the driver. Citations would then be mailed to the owner of the vehicle.

Photo devices were banned in Wisconsin in 1995 as a result of privacy concerns. However, hundreds of jurisdictions around the country currently use the equipment to catch speeders, according to Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins.

Supporters of the plan claim the cameras will make highways safer for all Wisconsin drivers.

“From experience I’ve had, photo radar, especially in construction zones, can be very beneficial to reduce crashes in work zones,” Collins said. “[They] make it as safe as possible for workers.”

In addition to safety concerns, Collins said the cameras would likely prevent the delays drivers often face as the result of crashes by preventing accidents altogether.

The citations sent to violators would be similar to parking tickets, according to Collins, and would only require the payment of a fine. The tickets would not have points attached to them nor would they go on individuals’ Department of Motor Vehicles driving records.

Tickets would be sent to the owner of the car, regardless of who was driving, Collins added.

Critics of the plan say it invades the privacy of drivers in an attempt to generate revenue for the state.

“We don’t feel like they increase any amount of safety and are pretty much just for revenue generation,” said Bonnie Sesolak, spokesperson for the Waunakee-based National Motorists Association. “Everyone should have a right to confront their accuser — this won’t happen with a camera.”

According to Sesolak, her association plans to educate the public about the disadvantages of using photo equipment to catch speeders through the media.

In addition, members will likely write letters their individual representative in an attempt to get the plan removed from the final budget.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, who fought in favor of the 1995 ban of photo equipment, called the governor “dead wrong,” adding, “Over my dead body will I vote for that.”

Schneider said he also believed he could find enough votes in the Legislature to prevent the proposal from passing.

Collins addressed these concerns, arguing a variety of companies now offer a service that allows individuals to go online and view the video or the photograph of the violation, letting them see it for themselves.

In addition, some of the cameras only take photos of the back license plate on the vehicle, instead of the driver, preventing the invasion of privacy critics fear.