Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for all of the e-mails and messages of support. I was overwhelmed when I opened the Potomac Secret Agent e-mail this morning.
Overwhelmingly, Potomac residents seem to agree.
Some have offered their support, some have offered to post signs in their yards others have offered financial support for an ongoing campaign to protest automated traffic enforcement. Needless to say, I do not support the proliferation of speed cameras in the Potomac area.Daniel Zubairi, a local businessman from Bethesda and former Congressional candidate, has launched a petition drive which would force the Senate Bill authorizing statewide speed cameras to a referendum (SB-277). He has created an organization "Maryland for Responsible Enforcement" and launched a website mdscamera.com to promote the referendum and has filed the required paperwork with the state to force this vote. I would encourage all Potomac residents to follow this link to his site to sign the petition. This is by far the most productive way to promote change.
Speed cameras may have a place in our area to keep our streets safe. Potomac residents should have some say where these cameras should go and be allowed to vote to support or deny the installation. The rapid proliferation of these cameras in "gotcha" locations is suspect, and lends support to allegations that the cameras are less about enforcement and safety and more about revenue.
The Washington Post published an article in the Metro section addressing the Speed Camera controversy. News Channel 8 (Local Cable News in the DC Area) will be running a story late this afternoon and tomorrow reporting on the protest. Please take the time to read the Post article, watch the News Channel 8 report and visit the "Maryland for Responsible Enforcement" web page. Also please weigh in with your opinion by taking the poll (top right of this page). You can see results on public opinion immediately.
Most importantly, Keep Potomac Safe and Drive Gently. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
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I just saw your signs today and want to say, "thank you!" The speed traps, I mean cameras, are a safety hazard as people: a) slam on their brakes when they realize they're about to pass one; and b) watch for cameras when they should be watching the road. The number of cameras that have popped up in the Potomac area recently is ridiculous. Thanks for raising awareness about this problem and the efforts to rectify it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the comment and support. I think many of us are tired of the increased enforcement and are convinced that many of these cameras are installed to generate income. Please tell people about the site and have them lend their support.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy Holiday weekend!
Yeah! We should be allowed to drive as recklessly as we want!
ReplyDeleteCould you also tell which house have security systems? I think it's wrong that I have to take chances when I break the law!
Hope you and yours are never the victim of a speeding vehicle.
Get real. Drive the speed limit or up to 7 or 8 miles above it and you have no problem. It's not rocket science you over-privileged weenies.
I am sorry you disagree, but I certainly respect your opinion.
ReplyDeleteMy point is the cameras are being erected in areas more suited to issuing tickets in order to garner revenue and not as much for public safety. You may have missed that in my repeated commentary.
Lets hope that the County puts some thought into using the technology of automated enforcement in areas that truly WILL promote public safety.
It is tragic when anyone becomes the victim of an accident. I see Red Light cameras as a perfect example of how this type of technology actually works.
Thanks so much for your comments, and I welcome you to the forum.
I don't mind speed cameras, but putting them in "gotcha" locations is problematic. For example, putting a camera at the exact bottom of a hill where a vehicle is probably going over the speed limit just by coasting alone is highly suspect. There is no safety issue involved because the department of transportation cannot put a crosswalk or other pedestrian crossing at such a location. The same goes for cameras located immediately around the bend of a blind curve. Again, DOT can't put a crosswalk in such a location because it is a blind curve.
ReplyDeleteIf it isn't about additional revenue, then not require that all fines generated by speed cameras go to fund pedestrian safety and driver awareness campaigns instead of the state general fund?
If you're not speeding, then you won't get a ticket. Oh, and are less likely to endanger the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
ReplyDeleteIf you were so concerned about public safety I would expect you to advocate for increased use of speed cameras, not fewer.
I have to strongly agree with the comment regarding applying all fine revenue to Safety and Driver Awareness programs.
ReplyDeleteIt would be far easier to justify the automated enforcement with the funds truly being applied to public safety.
How does everyone feel about this?
Where did you decide to put all your signs I only saw the ones on river road.
ReplyDeleteLoved them by the way definetly saved me!
RSA - that was me. Unfortunately, even if the county/state decided to do so, they would simply reallocate the money from those programs back to the state general fund. This is exactly what happened with the lottery, which was supposed to ADD money to the education budget. Instead, the state simply took a portion of the education budget away and reallocated it to other programs.
ReplyDeleteI saw your signs on Seven Locks on Sunday (May 24) and found this site via google and WJLA website. THANK YOU! I would love to buy a few of your signs to put up in front of the 'income generators" in Montgomery Village.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comment. The signs are NOT FOR SALE. They are FREE. If you want to use these signs to promote safety anywhere in Montgomery County, they are your to take.
ReplyDeleteThe only caveat is that the signs are put up only on weekends (Friday after 6pm) and taken down by dusk on Sunday (Dusk Monday for a long weekend).
Contact me via e-mail for details. THANK YOU for your ongoing support!