Howard police issued 650 speed camera warnings in a month

Citations begin Wednesday

A new sign near Elkridge Landing Middle School on Montgomery Road warns motorists that their speed could be monitored by cameras. (Staff Photo by Sarah Pastrana / October 9, 2011)

By Andrea F. Siegel, The Baltimore Sun

10:49 a.m. EST, November 16, 2011

Howard County police issued 650 warning tickets to motorists in the one-month grace period for the speed cameras near schools — and with the end of the warning period, $40 citations start Wednesday.

The citation, a civil fine for driving 12 mph or more over the speed limit, does not lead to points on a driver's license. It can be challenged in court.

Police said their studies last year showed 18 percent of drivers in school zones were speeding. Enacted this year, the speed camera program — strictly for areas around the more than 100 schools in the county — is starting with two mobile cameras. The law allows up to eight mobile speed cameras.

andrea.siegel@baltsun.com

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Comments (5)

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philipherdman at 7:29 PM December 01, 2011

It's always nice when people refer to a reporter they are criticizing as "a chick".

Anecodotal information on non-English speakers justifying the idea of not having speed cameras really convinces me.. especially when you're looking at a diverse county full of amazing non-native speakers

I could care less if this program raised my taxes slightly or generated less than wanted income.. asking someone to drive less than 12 MPH under the speed limit is completely reasonable

The only justification it appears to people on here would seem to be if kids were being hit or killed.. then they would lament the program for it's ineffectiveness. This argument is akin to saying G-d doesn't exist because you can't see him

Chooseinsanity at 9:10 AM November 23, 2011

Ok, so 18% of drivers were "speeding" in a school zone. How many accidents/injuries were there? What criteria is used to determine a speed limit? I want a photo ezpass so I can blow through this school zone at 55 and only pay $40. The county should make other violations pay only and no points.

slim409 at 4:58 PM November 21, 2011

Why doesn't this Andrea Siegel chick do some investigative reporting? Like, how much the program will actually cost the county? Or who submitted bids to the county? And which elected officials received donations from that company? Or why the "Photo Enforced" and "End School Zone" signs don't line up in opposite directions along many of the roads.

Oh, that's right, it would involve a little work. Not just regurgitating Democratic Party propoganda. Lazy, biased, and pathetic "reporting".

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