With a statewide ballot challenge out of the way, County Executive Jim Smith appears ready to move forward with speed cameras in Baltimore County soon after the law takes effect this fall.

The state law, passed earlier this year, requires the County Council in each jurisdiction wishing to use the cameras to pass a law approving the use.

Don Mohler, Smith's spokesman, said there is no official timeline for delivering the legislation to the council but added Smith would like the cameras in use as close as possible to Oct. 1, the date the law takes effect.

"The executive has a goal of meeting the Oct. 1 deadline," Mohler said.

Earlier this year, the legislature passed a Senate bill authorizing the use of the cameras in school and construction zones around the state.

Cameras in school zones would operate between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays only. Speeders could be fined $40 if they exceed the posted speed limit by 12 miles or more.

Some council members said they support speed cameras initially on a limited basis.

"My understanding is that the county executive is interested in trying it on a trial basis in school zones where there is a history of speed violations," said Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District including Owings Mills, Pikesville and Ruxton.

Kamenetz said he would like to see the county use signs to notify drivers that they are entering a speed camera zone.

Council Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder said he believes the cameras could work in "some areas as a traffic calming device." Bartenfelder, a Democrat, represents the 6th District including Middle River, Fullerton and Parkville.

"I'd like to see some statistics on how they're working (in other jurisdictions) before jumping to conclusions," Bartenfelder said, adding that he worries drivers will slow down in areas where the cameras are and speed up once they are clear.

Maryland for Responsible Enforcement tried to force the law to a ballot referendum in November 2010 but failed to raise the required 17,883 signatures of registered voters due May 31. The group reportedly collected about 16,000 names.

Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said last week he expects to deploy some units in the county this fall.

"This is not about fund-raising," said Johnson. "It's a very specific law we need to protect our adults and children."

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user comments (1)

user photoradarscam says...

Why the big rush? They can't wait to get that revenue coming in. But did they ever examine the "speeding crisis?" According to this blog, there's only one speeding fatality per BILLION miles driven! http://photoradarscam.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/how-dangerous-is-exceeding-the-posted-limit/

Posted 10:38 AM, 06.10.09

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