Montgomery County adding more than 200 traffic cameras

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – Montgomery County is adding more than 200 traffic cameras along some of its most “problematic roads.”

Those who are caught speeding likely will feel a bigger blow to their wallets.

“I believe it’s doing more hurt than it is good,” Jay Grin said. “I doubt it’s limiting the amount of accidents.”

David Douglass said the traffic cameras are “effective.”

“I get more than my fair share at a couple of intersections,” Douglass said.

That’s how some people already feel about traffic cameras in Montgomery County. County Executive Marc Elrich said 140 speed cameras and 76 red-light cameras will be added to the existing network.

“We know that speed cameras save lives,” Elrich said. “An independent evaluation of the police’s speed camera program found that cameras lower drivers’ speed and they lower injuries.”

Some people are skeptical.

“I guess to me it depends on where they’re doing it, and is it really a safety need or is it just for revenue?” Douglass said.

Grin said he believes that it’s just a “money grab.”

“I respect those who are pulling in their profit from it,” Grin said.

The cameras will be placed on some of the county’s most dangerous roads and at its most dangerous intersections.

“The bottom line is this is a step toward making our roads safer,” Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery County) said.

If you’re caught speeding, your ticket may be higher than before. Instead of the $40 flat rate, the faster you go, the higher the fine.

“We’re going after people with a blatant disregard for laws and regulations that make our roadways safe,” Solomon said. “It is a privilege, not a right, to be on this road, and if you are going to abuse that privilege, you are going to pay for it because the cost to our community is lives.”

The increased fines for speeding go into effect on Oct. 1.