Jan 5, 2009 7:06 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Co. May See Increase In Speed Cameras
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
Baltimore County sets its 2009 legislative agenda, the things it wants to see the General Assembly do this year, and it includes something that may affect Maryland drivers everywhere.
Baltimore County sets its 2009 legislative agenda, the things it wants to see the General Assembly do this year, and it includes something that may affect Maryland drivers everywhere.
Political reporter Pat Warren reports speed cameras are on the list.
A picture of public safety or a snapshot for a fast buck, those are views held on speed cameras on major thoroughfares.
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith sees them as a safety measure.
"I mean they work. I've been caught in Montgomery County. I mean I know they work, and you know police can't be everywhere. And where we want the police really is more serious crime," said Smith.
Speed cameras are in use in Montgomery County in safety zones, and some residents would like to see them in Baltimore County.
"Because you got a lot people out here do a lot of speeding that go through the red light," said resident Paul Beasley.
"It would be a great idea. I really would appreciate that. Probably make drivers drive, probably make the roads safer, drivers being careful, nobody getting tickets. I 100 percent agree," said Nick Diakantonis.
But there are concerns that the cameras are an easy way for jurisdictions to make money.
"That is a cynical view that I have as well, but you know it's awfully cheap to have a camera writing tickets for you that bring in money, you know you're not paying anybody to write those tickets. And yeah, so that's a big problem," said Mitch Dhane.
Triple-A Mid-Atlantic supports them from a safety standpoint but not as a way for jurisdictions to make money.
"In many cases, statistics have shown that where the cameras are placed, they haven't necessarily seen reduction in fatal crashes or crashes in general, but they have certainly seen their revenue go up. So again we do support speed cameras, particularly in residential areas and school zones, and primarily first and foremost, those cameras are there to provide safety," said Ragina Averella with AAA.
Speed camera proposals failed last year when the House and Senate could not agree on a final version of the bill.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Great NFL Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
