The Maryland Senate voted to approve the use of speed cameras in highway work zones and school zones across the state, as members of the House of Delegates argued that the proposal could evolve from a safety measure to a cash cow.
The Senate on Tuesday approved speed cameras as long as local jurisdictions allow them, reduced a proposed fine from $75 to $40 and exempted volunteer rescue workers en route to an emergency. The proposal must now receive House approval, but it met resistance from Republican leaders who said their localities indicated the cameras could become an important source of public safety revenue.
“The three counties in Western Maryland want no part in this legislation,” said House Republican Whip Christopher Shank, of Washington County. “We believe there is an inherent incentive for counties and municipalities to place these cameras in areas that are not fair for motorists.”
The House rejected attempts by Shank and several other Republicans to exempt their localities. A proposal would require local governments to turn all proceeds from the fines over to the state, after recouping costs for the cameras and administrative expenses, but that also failed.
Members of the House will revisit the debate today, when Del. Steve Schuh, an Anne Arundel County Republican, said he would introduce a proposal to adjust fines so they net only enough to cover expenses.
After the first year, the state would collect about $2.7 million in revenues per year with $75 tickets, according to state analysts. For local governments, which must use the profits on public safety initiatives, revenues would be more than double their expenditures, the staff said.
Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore City Democrat and chairwoman of the House Environmental Matters Committee, urged lawmakers to support the measure to reduce the number of construction zone fatalities. That number has hovered around 15 per year since 2002. She emphasized the bill only authorizes local jurisdictions to implement speed camera systems. It does not require them.
“This is enabling legislation,” McIntosh said. “Ifthose counties do not want speed monitoring systems, they need not have them.”
