🚀 go-pugleaf

John S. wrote:
> N8N wrote:
> > John S. wrote:
> > > N8N wrote:
> > > > John S. wrote:
> > > > > Kelley wrote:
> > > > > > Speed Cameras Coming to Montgomery County
> > > > > >
> > > > > > New Law Takes Effect In 30 Days
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Under a measure that won final approval Wednesday in the
> > > > > > Maryland General Assembly, Montgomery County will become
> > > > > > the first jurisdiction in the state to use automated speed
> > > > > > cameras in residential neighborhoods and near its schools.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Calling the legislation an unnecessary government intrusion,
> > > > > > Gov. Robert Ehrlich had vetoed a bill to allow the use of
> > > > > > the cameras.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > But both the State Senate and House of Delegates voted
> > > > > > to override Ehrlich's veto, and its passage was celebrated
> > > > > > by Democratic lawmakers in Montgomery County as a way to
> > > > > > make roads safer.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Under the new law, which takes effect in 30 days, drivers
> > > > > > caught going 10 mph or more above the speed limit could
> > > > > > be fined as much as $40.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The automated cameras are already in use in the District
> > > > > > and a handful of other states.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > http://www.nbc4.com/news/6460938/detail.html
> > > > >
> > > > > Sounds like a great idea to me...
> > > > > Anything we can do to slow traffic where children are about is a good
> > > > > idea.  A $40.00 fine may not get the message across though....
> > > >
> > > > It's for the CHIIIIILLLLLLDRUN!!!1!!!
> > > >
> > > > nate
> > >
> > > If Maryland really wanted the revenue all they would need to do would
> > > be set up dozens of cameras around the east side of the beltway.  Fined
> > > at $25.00 for each 5 mile increment over 55mph drivers would probably
> > > generate enough fines to allow the stae income tax to be repealed.
> >
> > Or they could just set the speed limit properly, and the road would be
> > safer.
> >
> > Actually I think that some of the east side is signed 65 MPH, but I
> > don't drive that stretch much.  (I drive most of the rest of the
> > beltway on a near daily basis, however...)
> >
>
> If traffic control is a revenue enhancer as some argue camera based
> ticket writing on the beltway would be a natural.  Better than a state
> run numbers game...er lottery.
>

Sure it would, no argument there.  It won't happen, though, because
traffic would quickly grind to a halt as those wise to the scheme would
slow to 55 MPH causing massive traffic disruptions.  There's no reason
for anywhere between the WW bridge and US 50 to be posted anything less
than 65 MPH.  In reality it could probably be posted at 70 or 75 and
things would be fine; unfortunately, MD still has a legislatively
mandated 65 MPH statewide speed limit.  Certainly when it's not
congested people are driving faster than 65 MPH.

> Could be a recent change I suppose.  We take the Wilson bridge round
> the beltway to route 50 and it's been marked 55mph.  Actual speeds vary
> upwards to 100mph if you count the boyz on motorcycles playing chase in
> heavy traffic.

I honestly don't recall; I just ASSumed it was 65 MPH, being the
lightest traveled section of the beltway and yet has 3 smooth, wide
lanes in each direction.  Last time I was through there it was still a
"work zone" and actually posted at 50 MPH (yeah right!)

You know, I used to see the motorcycle kids on US-50 between Bowie and
Annapolis all the time a few years ago, they were rather scary as they
were traveling so fast - 120 MPH or faster - that even at an 80 MPH
cruise you could easily miss one coming up behind you when pulling out
to pass.  When you checked your mirrors the first time, they'd be over
the last hill, but when you checked them again on your way over, they'd
be right up on your a$$...  but for some reason I haven't seen them
more than once or twice the last couple years.  I'd usually see them
after dark on Saturday or Sunday evenings...  don't miss 'em at all.

nate