Cameras Deployed To Slow Speeders

Montgomery joins several communities across the country, including the District, that use cameras to catch speeders. But before officials could start, they had to overcome opposition from then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), who said the cameras were an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly, led by Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Montgomery), overrode the second veto in January 2006.

Officials did not provide a price tag but say they hope the program will pay for itself.

Under the law, the program will operate only in Montgomery, which already uses cameras to catch red-light runners and fines violators $75. Recently, the Virginia General Assembly approved a measure to allow local governments to set up red-light cameras.

Mooney predicted that speed cameras would spread to other parts of Maryland. "Once the government takes away your rights, they are very reluctant to give it back," he said.

The cameras will be a relief to the safety patrols at Rockville's Meadow Hall Elementary School, who stood by patiently yesterday morning for more than an hour as several county officials discussed the program at a news conference on the front lawn of the school.

The students use decidedly low-tech methods to detect speeding cars. Megan Anderson, a fourth-grader, said she waits for a sudden rush of wind and tells students to stand back. Ivan Jackson, also a fourth-grade patrol, said he looks to see whether a vehicle's "wheels are spinning real fast."

School safety patrol sponsor and physical education teacher Glenn Andrews said there had been many accidents in front of the school in his 31 years on the faculty. Pointing to a tree near the driveway entrance, he said a young driver who was speeding recently struck it.

Rockville police say they plan to use the cameras to catch speeders in front of the school.

For more details about Montgomery County's program to catch speeders, go tohttp://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/policeand click on "Automated Speed Enforcement Program."