Why are they expanding a program that isn't working? Why would the one proposal NOT require reporting on accidents? If accidents have NOT gone down, then the cameras aren't doing anything but draining the local economy of revenue and filling city or county coffers. These are about REVENUE, not safety.

I guess the councilman saw all of the passion stirred up by the use of the cameras!

Did I say that right? Well anyway the moaning was heard. A little brevity there.

We can all use that now and then.

I know from personal experience these camera systems are not always good. On Northern Parkway just East of York Road, the speed sign was hidden behind an enormous tree making it extremely difficult to see. It was the sign that was supposed to inform drivers of the speed reduction from 35 to 30 before they hit a speed camera at the next intersection. Well, I didn't see it and was shocked when I received a ticket. So, I made the drive and there it was hidden behind this tree. I was going to protest it but who wants to spend a day in court to try and get off a $40 ticket. To me, I felt the County was tricking people and who knows how many tickets they received. My thought was, well the speed camera company probably did it so they could generate more tickets to promote the sale of additional cameras which, from what I've read, can cost about $1 million dollars.

And, whoever planned this one didn't do much research. The camera is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away from the Bryn Mawr school area and traffic speeds increase noticably just before the school area. I regularly drive this route and right in front of the school, the speed is - I estimate - an average of about 50 miles per hour. If this one particular camera is to work, I think it needs to be moved closer to the actual school area and maybe the number of accidents will decrease.

It's clear work on existing locations needs to be refined before new cameras are approved.

Why can't they use speed bumps? They are cheaper and a better deterrent if the issue really is about speeding at schools. Let's call it what it is.Speed cameras are truly a money grab by government!

Excellent thought. Accordingly, I have including the introduction to a study that may provide additional insight to further developing your questions; the full report can be found at the attached link.

http://www.trafficlogix.com/images/press_releases/55.pdf

AS ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHO has ever attended a neighborhood meeting can attest, there are two subjects that will ignite the passion of otherwise calm and rational homeowners: their children’s safety and anything that negatively affects their property value. When speed humps are suggested as a measure to control speeding in the neighborhood, the normal scenario plays this way: emotional argu- ments about how something must be done, followed by someone who will express a concern about a perceived stigma associated with speed humps, which may result in their homes being less mar- ketable. Do prospective home buyers view speed humps as an amenity, or as a bother- some, unattractive addition to the neigh- borhood? The purpose of this evaluation attempts to address this concern: Does installing speed humps cause a change in the market value of residential housing?

Personally, I support a limited use of the speed cameras. That being said, I must applaud Mr. Marks for his insight. Rather than make his decision based on pressure from some groups who chose to hold him to campaign statements made during the summer, he waited until he had all the facts in. How do his constituents feel? What do the numbers say? What does the final bill include? Councilman Marks chose to consider ALL OF THE FACTS before making his decision, which didn't come easy for him. He takes nothing for granted. Baltimore County, and the nation should start demanding more legislators like David Marks.

Well, I just got a $40 Citation 2 days ago from Baltimore City. I was on Caton Ave, just west of I 95. 8 lanes there (4 each direction) States I was doing 43 in a 30 mile zone. Pretty sneaky since I just came off the ramp from I95. Claims to be a "school zone", but for the life of me I don't see any school there! They just lost my support for this program!!!

To Scott Sewell:
I guess you lose your "life". How about Seaton-Keough HS, located at the light at Benson & Caton?

Some food for thought on both sides.

http://bonehead.lerman.biz/php/FirebirdsWithoutWings.php

It kinda makes you think a little?

This is not about safety. This is about revenue. A study of the last 6 months shows revenue is down 51.5%. They were counting on that money for the budget. Now we need to find another way to come up with the cash. What could be easier, and we claim it in the name of safety. Catonsville has 5 schools, that's a lot of revenue.
Plua, is anyone concerned about the assumption of guilt associated with these tickets. You are given a ticket, which pronounces you guilty, when there is no proof you were driving the car. What happened to presumed innocent until proven guilty?

This Speed Camara flack is going to grow.. we begged for speed bumps in my Cockeysville Neigh a few years ago, the County said no because it would hurt the snow plows...now they wrap themselves in the flag of public safety .... its money ... plain and simple