MC 912/09: Speed Camera Fairness Act
Of course nobody likes to get a ticket from one of the numerous speed cameras posted on Montgomery County's roads. However, many would agree that they are necessity to increase safety of our motorists and pedestrians. What many people don't know (and this came as a surpise to me too) is that Montgomery County Government is paying the contractors -- Affiliated Computer Services Inc (ACS) -- who own, maintain and run the speed cameras a $16.25 fee per ticket. Although this may not technically violate the language of state law, it certainly violates the spirit: "If a contractor operates a speed monitoring system on behalf of a local jurisdiction or agency, the contractor's fee may not be contingent on the number of citations issued or paid". The result is that ACS has a financial incentive to issue as many speed camera tickets as possible. In March, the Washington Times covered this story in detail. You can read that article by clicking here. I think this is an area that needs serious reform.
For this reason, Senator Mike Lenett (D-Olney) and I have teamed up to introduce the "Speed Camera Fairness Act". This bill clarifies and explicitly bans the aforementioned type of contractual arrangement. I'm a supporter of speed cameras because I think they lower speeds and save lives. However, they must be done right. It is crucial that our citizenry has every confidence that the goal of these cameras is to increase public safety -- not to pad the government's coffers or some company's bottom line. You can read the actual text of the bill by clicking here.
This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St., Rockville). If you support this bill and you live in Montgomery County, I urge you to attend and testify that evening. Just let me know by email in advance. You must sign up to testify by clicking here.
- Saqib
For this reason, Senator Mike Lenett (D-Olney) and I have teamed up to introduce the "Speed Camera Fairness Act". This bill clarifies and explicitly bans the aforementioned type of contractual arrangement. I'm a supporter of speed cameras because I think they lower speeds and save lives. However, they must be done right. It is crucial that our citizenry has every confidence that the goal of these cameras is to increase public safety -- not to pad the government's coffers or some company's bottom line. You can read the actual text of the bill by clicking here.
This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St., Rockville). If you support this bill and you live in Montgomery County, I urge you to attend and testify that evening. Just let me know by email in advance. You must sign up to testify by clicking here.
- Saqib
posted by Saqib Ali at 3:51 PM
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