Legislation Would Allow Devices Throughout State

As lawmakers enter the last weeks of their annual legislative session, momentum is growing in the Maryland General Assembly for bills that would authorize the use of cameras to catch speeding drivers across the state.

The Maryland Senate advanced a bill yesterday, supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), that would allow the cameras' use by jurisdictions across the state in school zones and highway work zones.

O'Malley had also been pushing to let counties use cameras on some residential streets, an approach that has been favored by the House of Delegates. But a leading House member said yesterday that she believes that if the Senate allows the cameras in work zones and school zones, other differences between the two chambers can be worked out before the session adjourns April 13.

A speed camera bill that had been agreed to by House and Senate negotiators died last year on the final night of the session when Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) declined to bring it up as the midnight adjournment deadline neared.

Miller said he does not expect the legislation to face the same kind of bottleneck this year.

Under the bill moved forward by the Senate, cameras could be used to catch vehicles going at least 12 miles over the speed limit and take pictures of their license plates. Vehicle owners would be sent a $40 ticket in the mail.

Currently, only Montgomery County has state authorization to use the cameras. Supporters of expanding their use argue that most cities and counties do not have enough police officers to routinely patrol for speeding on smaller roads. They say cameras discourage drivers from speeding, a particularly important factor near schools.

"Do you care about children? It's that simple," said Sen. James N. Robey (D-Howard), during a vigorous debate over the issue. Robey sponsored a successful amendment to the Senate bill adding school zones to the areas where the state would allow cameras.

Opponents of the cameras say they represent unnecessary government intrusion and a presumption that drivers are guilty.

"I think it's a mistaken philosophy. I think it's big government watching us," said Sen. Alex X. Mooney (R-Frederick).

Opponents also say local governments will use fines generated by the cameras as a way to fill county coffers. Montgomery made $8 million on its speed camera program last year, money devoted by law to public safety.

Chevy Chase Village introduced the cameras in October 2007, and in the next eight months collected almost $1.6 million, largely by sending tickets to owners of vehicles captured on camera speeding on Connecticut Avenue. The village's entire budget for that fiscal year was $4.5 million.

The Senate agreed to cap the amount any local government could make on the cameras to 10 percent of the jurisdiction's total budget, which Miller said he believed should satisfy doubters. "Speed cameras should be perceived as a law enforcement issue, not as a money grab by the counties and municipalities," Miller said.

Even if compromise cannot be reached on a bill to allow the cameras statewide, the House signaled yesterday that it would push to provide authorization to three jurisdictions that have specifically requested their use. The chamber approved bills allowing cameras in the city of Baltimore, and in Howard and Prince George's counties.

The House also advanced a bill yesterday that would make it illegal to write or send a text message while driving, punishable by a $500 ticket. The Senate has approved a similar measure prohibiting drivers from writing, sending or reading text messages. If the House approves the measure, it seems likely that Maryland will join the District and Virginia this year in forbidding messaging on the road.