The House of Delegates approved a bill yesterday that authorizes automated speed radar cameras in residential neighborhoods and school zones, after the objections of some lawmakers worried about an overly intrusive government fell flat.
Late yesterday, a Senate committee agreed to the latest House version of the bill, meaning final passage could occur during the Assembly's last day tomorrow.
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., however, does not like the concept of the cameras - which would collect digital images of cars and allow authorities to send fines of up to $100 to owners of vehicles traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
"The governor has a predisposed opposition to both speed and red-light cameras," said Ehrlich spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver. "This is a bill in particular where a lot of conservatives have expressed their opposition."
Proponents of the measure say it creates a useful tool to prevent unsafe drivers who threaten children and pedestrians in residential areas.
"I hate speed bumps, and the ones in my neighborhood are so horrible," said Sen. Jennie M. Forehand, a Montgomery County Democratic and sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. "People realize we don't have the money to have more policemen, and residential areas and school zones are not the priority of police."
Howard County could be one of the first in the area to use the machines if the law takes effect.
County officials have said the cameras would be useful around schools, and statistics collected by Howard police this year showed that about 25 percent of drivers in school zones were traveling at more than 10 mph over the limit.
The bill was the subject of intense debate in the House and Senate. Delegates spent hours over the past several days discussing its merits, and supporters fought off a series of amendments yesterday to alter or weaken the proposal.
Republicans grew so fed up with the idea that Del. Richard K. Impallaria of Baltimore County offered an amendment yesterday that would have required "a listing of the names of the state legislators" who supported the legislation on the back of citations.
"Seldom is freedom lost in one fell swoop," said Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr., of Cecil County. "It's lost one item at a time."
Under the measure, the cameras - similar to red-light cameras in use in many areas - would be installed only after local officials authorized them. They would be limited to areas with posted speed limits no greater than 35 mph.
