Baltimore speeders might eventually have something more to worry about than how late they are for work.
Following Montgomery County's lead, Baltimore officials said yesterday that they will seek to install speed cameras in neighborhoods around the city.
The use of radar cameras to photograph speeders' license plates and issue fines by mail was suggested in a report released yesterday by the city-appointed Task Force on Traffic Calming and Pedestrian-Friendliness. The proposal lacks specifics but recommends placing cameras near schools, recreation centers, parks and churches.
Mayor Sheila Dixon said she supports the proposal for speed cameras, and a spokesman said yesterday that Gov. Martin O'Malley is also inclined to back them.
"I think it's time," Dixon said yesterday at a news conference. "We need it in the city because speeding is getting out of hand."
Typically, violators are issued citations similar to parking tickets, charging fines but not adding points to drivers' licenses.
Critics of such cameras - which have been in use in Washington for several years - charge that they do little to improve safety and are only intended to generate revenue for local governments. Some have also raised questions about the accuracy of the systems, though the citations have generally held up to scrutiny by judges when challenged in court, according to Maryland legislative analysts.
Before installing such cameras, Baltimore needs to secure permission from the General Assembly. City transportation officials have tried in the past but were never able to win support from the city's legislative delegation, said Deputy Chief of Traffic Frank Murphy. But after much debate, the legislature approved the cameras for Montgomery County in 2005 - coming back in January 2006 to override a veto by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
"Since the Montgomery County bill was successful, we are now hoping for more support from the legislature," Murphy said.
Yesterday, Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat who chairs the House committee that is assigned speed camera legislation, acknowledged that some city lawmakers might still be skeptical of backing a proposal only for their jurisdiction.
Instead, she said she will probably put forward statewide legislation permitting all counties and municipalities to install speed cameras.
In 2003, McIntosh backed a statewide bill that was passed by both chambers but was vetoed by Ehrlich.
