The Need for Speed - House Bill 904

We've all done it - approached a work zone in our vehicle, scanned the area for workers, and wondered if the posted speed limits really applied if no workers are present.  New legislation introduced by Baltimore County Delegate Jill Carter would leave no room for ambiguity in this question.  House Bill 904 proposes an exception to the current law that would prohibit the use speed cameras when no work is taking place within the work zone. 



Legendary "speeder" Tom Cruise

Speed cameras have become increasingly prevalent in work zones allowing "eyes" to be on drivers at all hours of the day, regardless of the time the work is taking place.  Many citizens have questioned the reasonableness of a speeding ticket issued in a work zone at midnight or in the wee hours of the morning.  Those citizens have voiced their displeasure to their local legislators, no doubt resulting in the creation of this legislation.  Proponents warned that if the law remains, public anger will only continue and intensify.

Original "speeder" Speed Racer

Despite what might seem as an unfair tactic by "Big Brother" to enhance State revenue, opponents argue that speeding in work zones at any time of the day poses a very real hazard.  In fact, statics provided showed that in 80% of work zone accidents, it is the driver of the vehicle that is injured, not the worker.  The men and women in the work zones aren't the only potential hazards to drivers - narrow lanes, uneven pavement, cones, barrels all require that drivers pay extra attention while driving through a highway work zone.  Opponents fear a change to the law would only add a distraction as drivers would begin to scan the work zone to see if it was operational before deciding to hit the gas pedal.

This is the second time around for this particular bill, but something tells us there isn't one cure-all answer for the issue.  As work zones continue to pop up around all major highways (there are 300 active work zones in  Maryland at any one time), citizens continue to speed, and constituents continue to complain, it doesn't seem as though a policy that plays fair without compromising safety is on the horizon.