ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland drivers speeding through school and construction zones could soon be slapped with a $40 fine. The state senate has amended a bill, expanding the use of controversial speed cameras to schools in addition to highway work zones. Drivers snapped going 12 miles or more over the speed limit would get speeding tickets.

Supporters of the amendment say the change will help prevent accidents and injuries near schools. The measure, which the Senate gave preliminary approval to on Tuesday, would allow speed cameras within half a mile of a school.

Supporters say the new plan promotes safety. "Anything you can do to slow people down in a school zone is a good thing," argued driver Malcolm Johes. 

But opponents say that will end up allowing speed cameras in residential areas. Others say the effect of the cameras is limited.

"I watch everybody, including myself, slow down where the cameras are, and then speed up," said driver Lillian Mason.

Critics also say it goes too far to make money off of residents. Fran Drenneman said, "You don't want to put them in spots where you -- where it's totally a 'gotcha' kind of thing... and it makes a lot of the jurisdictions money so... it's a money-maker."

Montgomery County (web | news) expects to make more than $20 million off of their speed cameras. Just two cameras on Connecticut Avenue collect about $250,000 per month, which led to a class-action lawsuit filed by residents who received citations. Vendors of the cameras make a $16 commission per ticket.

In response to those concerns, Maryland lawmakers have agreed to cap the amount any local government could make off of the cameras at ten percent of the total juridictional budget.

Lawmakers have until April 13 to pass a bill mandating statewide cameras. If the law fails to pass statewide by that deadline, lawmakers are willing to approve the bill just for three jurisdictions, including Baltimore city, Howard County, and Prince George's Counties.

In other traffic law news, the state House of Delegates also advanced a bill Tuesday that would make it illegal to write or send a text message while driving. Doing so would earn drivers a $500 fee.

 

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On the Net:
Read Senate Bill 277.

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