Howard?s state lawmakers still will consider a local measure allowing the county to use cameras to enforce speed limits, even as a similar statewide measure moves forward.
“I don?t know what the outcome of the state measure will be,” said state Sen. James Robey, R-Howard, the sponsor of the local measure.
Robey said he may drop the Howard-specific bill in favor of a uniform, statewide bill if he feels certain the state measure can pass.
Under Robey?s measure, speed cameras would be posted on streets with a maximum speed limit of 45 mph and could result in a $75 fine.
The statewide bill would enable jurisdictions to develop individual speed-camera programs, said Del. Susan Aumann, R-Baltimore County, who introduced this bill.
Montgomery is the only jurisdiction in the state authorized to use speed cameras and launched the program in May.
“I think we are to the point where people have heard enough reasons as to why there is a need and they are more receptive,” said Aumann, who also filed Baltimore County-specific legislation prompted by County Executive Jim Smith.
Howard?s state delegation agreed this week tocontinue debating the local bill, and possibly vote on it next week.
But a host of questions remain on the controversial technology.
“My concern is we are not really going after the speeders themselves,” said Del. Gail Bates, R-Howard, referring to how tickets are issued to the vehicle owner based on the license plate, rather than the person driving the car.
Del. Warren Miller, R-Howard, who has said he opposes the measure, raised concerns that speed cameras would make drivers slow down too much, creating traffic jams.
“The last thing I want to do on our county roads is make horrible things with our traffic,” he said.
Howard Police Chief Bill McMahon has defended the program to local lawmakers, addressing recent concerns that the program would be revenue generator.
“My goal is not to catch people,” he said.
“My goal is to slow people down, to get voluntary compliance.”
