After we are done screwing you, we will save you from us and keep the change

[The Straight Story]

State highway chief offers compromise to senate bill on speed cameras

Brochin had criticized speed limit reduction, use of cameras when no construction is occurring.

The State Highway Administration is proposing a series of actions in its highway work zone speed camera program — all in response to a bill by a local legislator that would prohibit work zone cameras from issuing citations when construction is not under way.

The actions include reevaluating whether speeds should be reduced in work zones, closely monitoring camera data, creation of a marketing campaign for public awareness, and more coordination of camera deployment and work construction schedules.

On Tuesday,a hearing was held in Annapolis on the bill sponsored by Sen. Jim Brochin, who represents the 42nd District in Towson. Brochin has been critical of the fact that the cameras operate even when no construction is occurring, and that speeds are reduced through the work zones.

“Clearly, when lanes are wide open, and there is nothing going on and you lower the speed limit by 5 mph, that’s gotcha government,” Brochin said during the hearing.


http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/111224/state-highway-chief-offers-compromise-senate-bill-speed-cameras/

How many times do things like this have to happen? We get red light cameras that turn out to be bunk - after the govt and the company with the cameras have made money, we have regulations that get relaxed and they turn out to be terrible and hurt us all (Glass–Steagall Act, etc) and so on - the only people hurt are the ones paying the fines or going to jail, while everyone else seems to make something on the deal.

And then, when it all finally sees the light of day we hear "Oh...sorry, we will change things now - keep me in office and I will work hard to reverse the injustices I perpetrated on you...."

[obxhead]

1. I've been arguing this for years.

In NC I-85 was "under construction" for years. By under construction I mean 2 lanes were reduced to a single lane on the north bound side for about 10 miles. In my many travels down that road at all hours of the day I saw a maximum of 3 construction vehicles and 2 workers at any given time on that stretch of road. The speed limit however was reduced from 70 to 45. Often times I would see anywhere from 2 to 10 state troopers running radar in that stretch of highway and can only imagine the amount of revenue it generated for those counties and the state.

I've done lots of construction and can tell you that there are absolutely times that speeds need to be reduced for nearby workers. However, when there are no workers present and no major changes to the roadway that could catch motorists by surprise than the lower speed limits should not be enforced purely for monetary gain by the state.

[obliviously]

2. And in other news, grass grows in ditch in Florida!~

[The Straight Story]

3. Yeah, but in Florida there is probably a gator in that grass

:)