by Jacob Miller
Background
The effectiveness and legality of traffic cameras – red light cameras and speed cameras – is hotly debated. The bottom line, though, is that they have been implemented widely by Howard County to make the roads safer.
"In 2009, in response to the high number of complaints received during their tenure in office, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Chief of Police William McMahon and Maryland State Senator James N. Robey co-authored state legislation authorizing automated speed enforcement [in Howard County] via the use of speed cameras." (howardcountymd.gov) Police say vehicles speeding in residential areas and through school zones is one of the top complaints they hear each week.
For other safety reasons, Howard County has also implemented a red light camera program. "In the early 1990s, Howard County police recognized that there was a problem in our community. Our citizens were being injured and sometimes killed in intersection crashes....We ultimately decided to take the step of enforcing red light violations by using automated camera systems." (howardcountymd.gov)
The effectiveness of these programs is debatable, however. (Federal Highway Administration) There are both advantages and disadvantages to speed and red light cameras.
The purpose of this website is to tell both sides of the story – the advantages and disadvantages of traffic cameras – and to encourage safer driving by posting the locations of red light and speed cameras in Howard County. Resources for voicing your opinion or getting more information are also listed.
On this site, you will find
· advantages of traffic cameras
· disadvantages of traffic cameras
· listings of speed and red light camera locations in Howard County
· resources for voicing your opinion or getting more information
"In 2009, in response to the high number of complaints received during their tenure in office, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Chief of Police William McMahon and Maryland State Senator James N. Robey co-authored state legislation authorizing automated speed enforcement [in Howard County] via the use of speed cameras." (howardcountymd.gov) Police say vehicles speeding in residential areas and through school zones is one of the top complaints they hear each week.
For other safety reasons, Howard County has also implemented a red light camera program. "In the early 1990s, Howard County police recognized that there was a problem in our community. Our citizens were being injured and sometimes killed in intersection crashes....We ultimately decided to take the step of enforcing red light violations by using automated camera systems." (howardcountymd.gov)
The effectiveness of these programs is debatable, however. (Federal Highway Administration) There are both advantages and disadvantages to speed and red light cameras.
The purpose of this website is to tell both sides of the story – the advantages and disadvantages of traffic cameras – and to encourage safer driving by posting the locations of red light and speed cameras in Howard County. Resources for voicing your opinion or getting more information are also listed.
On this site, you will find
· advantages of traffic cameras
· disadvantages of traffic cameras
· listings of speed and red light camera locations in Howard County
· resources for voicing your opinion or getting more information