Baltimore City Ready To Restart Speed Camera Program
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After three years, speed cameras may actually be turned back on in Baltimore City. The program had widespread errors and invalid tickets that forced refunds for thousands of drivers.
Amy Yensi has more on how the city is hoping to reignite the program.
Transportation leaders say they've spent a long time looking at what went wrong and how to restore faith in the cameras. Now they say the city is ready to try again.
The shutters of Baltimore City's speed and red light cameras haven't moved since 2013.
More than 3,000 drivers got tickets when they weren't even speeding, forcing the city to cough up refunds and dismantle the failed program three years ago.
"I don't know whether the cameras were functioning properly or not, but I have received tickets because of the cameras," said Jasper Richburg, driver.
"Before, it was terrible because it's a lot of cameras in the street," said Otolasunkanmi Adalanke, taxi driver.
Drivers could soon see the familiar flash of speed cameras in Baltimore City.
Starting Friday, the Department of Transportation will accept bids from vendors who want to provide new cameras.
"We're going to be paying for the complete system to work as it's supposed to work and function. The police will be involved in verifying the citations," said William Johnson, Baltimore City Department of Transportation director.
The city operated 83 speed cameras in its first attempt.
This time, the city only plans to install 20 to 25 speed and red light cameras in the first year.
Vendors will have to provide them without charging the city. The cameras must keep a minimum 95 percent accuracy rate.
In addition to the speed and red light cameras, the city will use truck enforcement cameras to ensure commercial trucks stay on their designated routes.
Some drivers say the cameras could make roads safer.
"If they work, I guess it would prevent a lot of accidents," said Lyndall Jordan, driver.
Others say it will take a lot to regain their trust.
Police officers and a quality assurance department will make sure the cameras issue only valid citations.
At this point, city leaders don't have a time frame for when a new speed camera program could begin.
