Legislators to Consider Changes to Speed Camera Laws
State legislators will hear discussion on three proposed changes to speed camera laws at a hearing Friday.
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Three bills related to speed cameras will be the subject of a hearing Friday afternoon in Annapolis:
- HB 857 would exempt law enforcement vehicles from receiving citations from speed cameras.
- HB 944 would shift the responsibility of inspecting and signing off on speed camera documentation from a police officer to an “authorized person.”
- HB 1044 would require an independent party to calibrate speed cameras; require speed camera documentation be made available to drivers who are issued citations for their defense; and require a summons be issued to speed camera operators at a defendant’s request.
In 2009 the state legislature authorized the use of speed cameras in school and work zones. In May of 2011, the Howard County Council approved the use of two mobile cameras in school zones
The cameras are operational Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. At any given time, one of the two vans may on any of the designated streets listed on the Howard County Police Department’s website.
As of January, about 104 citations were being issued per day, leading to a monthly revenue total of about $84,000 according to Capt. John McKissick.
Money from citations will help fund the staff and equipment for the speed camera program. If there is any surplus it will be earmarked for traffic and pedestrian safety programs according to County Executive Ken Ulman and Howard County Police Chief William McMahon.
H.R. Pufnstuf
9:06 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Why should law enforcement vehicles be exempt? If this truly about public safety it shouldn't matter- a school zone is a school zone. Lol how cops can't be bothered to obey the very laws they're supposed to enforce.
Valerie Noel
9:22 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
As I passed "the van" posted on 99 eastbound just west of route 29 this week, I could not help but think, "What a ruse..." This location has NOTHING to do with protecting children, the guise under which this bill was passed. While there are two schools (Hollifield Elementary and Patapsco Middle) within 100 yds of the stationed van, there are no children who cross Rt. 99 at this or other nearby locations (they're bussed less than 1 mile from Hollifield Station neighborhood to PMS and walk or driven to HES...) While we, as parents and citizens, hold highway safety, and our children's safety as an utmost priority (I know about which I speak...), this legislation was nothing more than a means to fill the government coffers. Shame on Ken Ulman, and any others, who conned the constituency into believing otherwise.
Brad Smith
10:12 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
You all should sign the petition supporting bill 1044, which imposes stricter standards on camera usage and closes some of the loop holes some counties have been using to streamline the revenue collection. Or if you can come to Annapolis tomorrow where these bills are being debated, please come to share your thoughts.
https://www.change.org/petitions/the-md-state-house-support-house-bill-1044
Pete Saria
3:29 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
I hate pigs and the organizations and legislators that give them power.
One thing they may want to consider, is stunting the growth of children so they are never taller than the, "you must be this tall to ride this ride" sign at amusement parks.
I'm gonna start shakin kids down for my speeding ticket money.
Cops in HoCo better stop sleepin in their car at night. Behind Bare Bones, next to Home Depot.
Brad Smith
6:24 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Pete, this isn't the police, it is actually the state legislators that are NOT holding the county legislators/commissioners responsible for breaking the law, that is the problem.
Actually, the camera tickets police cars just like it tickets any other car, and they currently have to pay the fine, although they are trying to pass bill 857 that exempts them from the cameras and allows them to speed as much as they want, regardless of if they are on a call or not.
Sean Colin
7:53 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
What is the reason for HB857, why is it even necessary to have this proposed? Why should, for example a Baltimore County Police officer living in Howard County driving to work be exempt from a speeding ticket? I imagine the police don't like the fact a camera does not offer "professional courtesy". If HB 944 passes, how will an "authorized person" know who or who not to ticket? Is there a master list of registered license plates that will be exempt?
Brad Smith
9:15 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Sean,
It is not necessary, and in essence it says that the police are not bound by the law. From what I heard yesterday, the officers have to break the law sometimes to do their jobs (even WITHOUT their emergency equipment on) and if they keep being penalized for doing their jobs, they are going to be conditioned to not do their jobs, the same as if you keep punishing a dog for barking ... when a burglar comes to the house he won't bark. (I'm paraphrasing their defense analogy). But yes, what it boils down to is that the camera does not offer a professional courtesy and the county is tired of paying the tickets.
As for 944, the citation approval process will most likely transition to an employee of the camera company, and as anyone can see, that creates an obvious conflict of interest, as they benefit financially from the number of approved tickets. This is analogous to if police officers were given a 40% portion of each speeding ticket they gave out/approved. Can you imagine what that would be like?
Ed
11:51 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
They should obey the law just like everyone else; do they have a right to harass law abiding citizen by installing tracking devices in their cars for no apparent reason; and the law abiding citizen is being followed and his relatives and friends subject to the same treatment from the police. Over 3 years and counting; can't find anything; don't accuse ppl of being a drug dealer when they never bought a thing from this person. If they speed and get a ticket; the county should deduct the amount of the ticket from their paycheck. Make them pay for it.
Sean Colin
3:05 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Brad,
This issue goes farther than just Howard County, as I mentioned, no police vehicle would be ticketed, whether from Howard or any where else. It is too bad the county doesn't want to keep paying tickets, but they set the rules and now want to be treated differently. Do as we say, not as we do, is obvious.
Brad Smith
5:57 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Yes I know it goes further than that as it exempts all law enforcement vehicles, including detective's cars and even civilians driving the volunteer police vehicles. The problem is, as you stated, that they would be lawfully exempt from the laws that they are sworn to uphold, which is a travesty and terrible precedent.