Speed cameras to go near schools and work zones

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Gov. Martin O'Malley intends to sign the legislation that passed the House of Delegates on Friday after two days of debate.

It enables counties and municipalities to consider erecting cameras within a half-mile of schools and to issue $40 tickets to motorists caught going 12 mph or more above the speed limit in designated areas. Drivers would not receive points on their license.

But Republicans who led the opposition maintained the cameras, currently allowed only in Montgomery County, are simply cash cows that will have minimal impact on public safety.

"I think that they're being passed for the purpose of raising money," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary's). "If it was about safety, then why would the fine be half what if would be if a police officer pulled you over and no points are put on your record?"

Cameras would be activated in school zones between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are no time restrictions on work zone cameras.

A provision to allow cameras in residential areas was stripped from the initial bill, which was a part of O'Malley's legislative agenda.

But proponents said they're pleased that the adopted measure targets the two high-risk areas.

"I think it does change driver behavior and that's especially important in school and work zones," said Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert).

Enacted in 2007, Montgomery County's speed cameras have been "quite popular and successful," said Del. Tom Hucker (D-Montgomery).

But opponents cited the revenue windfall that Chevy Chase Village netted from a speed camera installed on Connecticut Avenue as evidence that the devices serve as a revenue generator. In the first eight months that the cameras were put into effect, the municipality collected fines totaling more than one-third of its $4.5 million annual operating budget.

The bill was amended so that any money that exceeds 10 percent of a jurisdiction's total revenues will be diverted to the state's general fund.

"We've applied lessons of the Montgomery County speed camera program to improve the state program now," Hucker said.

The bill almost came to a halt in the Senate, which narrowly defeated the measure before reviving and approving it a day later.

Advocates also argued that speed cameras will allow police officers to focus on more serious crimes and encourages drivers to improve their driving habits around schools and work zones.

"If folks are really concerned about the measure, they just have to go to speed limit and they need not worry about it," Kullen said.

But opponents worry that the bill sets a bad precedent that will eventually lead to higher fines and expanded use of the cameras, even though O'Donnell said it already covers a lot of territory in areas with a high concentration of schools and road projects.

"Within a half-mile of a school in my district is just about everywhere," he said.

Staff writer Sean R. Sedam contributed to this report.

abrody@somdnews.com