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BALTIMORE, MD. (SEPTEMBER 28, 2012) – Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake established a special committee to conduct a comprehensive review of Baltimore City’s automated traffic enforcement systems. The Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System Task Force, will evaluate the city’s automated red light and speed camera enforcement systems to assure that these programs continue to effectively promote traffic and pedestrian safety, especially near school zones.
According to a recent Citizen Survey, City residents found ‘disobeying traffic laws’ to be a more serious problem than property crime, panhandling, and graffiti. The survey, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Baltimore, also found that residents believed ‘disobeying traffic laws’ was getting worse – more than property crime and illegal dumping.
“Over the past decade, there have been more traffic and pedestrian fatalities in Baltimore City than fire related deaths,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “This comprehensive review of the program will help ensure that our systems are improving traffic and pedestrian safety, and that the program is as accurate, efficient, and effective as possible.”
Automated traffic enforcement systems are a very important tool used by jurisdictions throughout the state to effectively manage traffic and improve safety conditions along area roadways, without diverting scarce Police resources away from criminal enforcement efforts. Baltimore City has implemented an aggressive targeted traffic enforcement program for the safety of pedestrians, motorists, and city school students.
The Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System Task Force is comprised of traffic safety experts, motorist advocates, community leaders and school representatives. Members of the task force will evaluate the city’s camera enforcement programs by reviewing camera locations, citation accuracy rates, program management and performance. Committee members will also review program data trends to ensure that the systems are designed to help reduce speeds and improve safety, and that enforcement is equitably distributed among resident and nonresident motorists.
Members of the Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System Task Force:
- Cedric Ward, Director, Office of Traffic and Safety, Maryland State Highway Administration
- Marshall “Toby” Goodwin, Director of Police, Baltimore City Public Schools
- Ragina C. Averella, Director Public Affairs, AAA Mid-Atlantic
- Milton Corbett, Commander of Traffic Unit, Baltimore Police Department
- Elena DiPietro, Chief Solicitor, Opinions and Advice, Baltimore City Law Department
- Todd Lang, Director of Transportation, Baltimore Metropolitan Council
- Tori Burns, Board Member, Ashburton Community Association
- Jamie Kendrick, Deputy Director for Administration, Baltimore City Department of Transportation
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