| Take speed cameras for a trial run first |
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| Wednesday, 05 December 2007 | |
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Take speed cams for a trial run first Editor, Howard County Times
12/06/07 The county's delegation to the General Assembly ought to amend a proposal to allow police to use speed cameras here and instead implement a one- or two-year pilot program, limited to targeted stretches of roadway, to gauge their effectiveness. Police officials have been advocating these devices for years, saying they would be a valuable deterrent to the lead-footed driving that is a primary factor in serious accidents. In 2003, the legislature passed a similar measure to the one being proposed. But then-Gov. Robert Ehrlich vetoed it. Local legislators on both sides of the aisle, however, have misgivings about the new bill, reflecting constituent fears that government will use the cameras as a cash cow or that they constitute a slide toward a Big Brother environment. We appreciate both points of view. But at the same time, we recognize the benefits of this kind of deterrent. A probationary period would be prudent middle ground. Let's get a reasonable read on how effective these things are before incorporating them as a permanent fixture. |
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