Maryland gains reputation as speed trap

Most Maryland drivers are aware of the fact that they no longer need to be pulled over to get a speeding ticket. According to a recent Washington Post article, the state issued 1.5 million tickets for speed camera violations for a total $62.2 million in fines. These cameras issue tickets between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily and are often set up near schools. The threshold for issuing a ticket is typically 12 miles over the speed limit.

Speed cameras a huge moneymaker for local jurisdictions

Most of these were issue on roads in the Washington, DC suburbs with Montgomery and Prince George Counties issuing 75 percent of those tickets.Montgomery County Police Department issued $20 million in fines while Prince George was $9.1 million.Drivers in this area also faced fines from smaller municipalities of $18 million in fines.

Reckless drivers are punished

Speed cameras have been controversial in Maryland in recent years with several jurisdictions suspending their speed camera program because of erroneous tickets issued. However, Baltimore has since reinstituted its program. Smaller municipalities are finding the program useful gaining income, but also for reining in the extremely dangerous driving habits in the area.

Leading the nation in use of cameras

Maryland and Washington, DC, lead the nation in the use of speed cameras. Local drivers may bemoan this fact, but they are learning, with the number of tickets issued going down by 10-20 percent per jurisdiction from the previous year.

While Southern Florida has seen a major uptick in traffic fatalities and accidents because of reduced law enforcement hours issues fewer tickets, Maryland enforcement using cameras have and will continue to pay dividends, not only in fines but also in safer driving habits.

Nonetheless, accidents will still happen, which may lead to injuries and legal disputes. Contact an attorney if you feel you are a victim due to someone else’s reckless driving.