Maryland lawmakers are pointing out issues with the work zone speed camera program. Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss combed through a new report that sheds light on the problem.
Maryland lawmakers have raised serious questions about the way work zone speed cameras have been monitored.
A report from the state Office of Legislative Audits shows for most of 2017, Maryland’s State Highway Administration did not adequately monitor the Maryland SafeZones program vendor.
The program is meant to protect highway workers. For example, along the Suitland Road bridge project, the speed limit is 55 mph. Drive 12 mph over the speed limit and you’ll automatically be issued a ticket.
According to the audit report, there were 18 work zone cameras during the time the audit was performed, but 10 of those sites did not have the proper inspections.
“Any dealing with speed cameras is a sensitive topic,” said State Sen. Craig Zucker, D-Montgomery County, who led the audit.
It showed a lack of documentation showing requirements were being met — like a mandatory trained operator being present with the cameras and road signage showing photo enforcement was in use.
Tens of thousands of tickets were issued during the time of the audit.
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“If drivers felt like they got faulty tickets, then they could always challenge,” Zucker said.
He said he’s been assured the cameras were calibrated properly.
The State Highway Administration agreed with the report and said it has corrected the issues.
