Maryland House Bill HB151

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Traffic Control Device Monitoring Systems - Authorization

Impact

The introduction of HB 151 is poised to significantly impact traffic law enforcement throughout the state. The bill empowers local agencies to administer citations based on recordings made by these monitoring systems, thereby enhancing law enforcement's ability to ensure compliance with traffic regulations. Notably, the bill establishes that civil penalties for violations captured by the monitoring systems cannot exceed $40 and ensures that these penalties will not be classified as moving violations or affect individuals' insurance coverage, which could alleviate some concerns among vehicle owners.

Summary

House Bill 151 aims to authorize the use of traffic control device monitoring systems by state and local agencies under certain conditions. The bill stipulates that local jurisdictions can implement these systems if they are authorized by their respective governing bodies through local law. This ensures that the use of monitoring systems will be guided by community input and adherence to local regulations. The systems are intended for use on both state-maintained highways and local roads, with an emphasis on transparency and public notification when these systems are deployed.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill will enhance public safety by deterring traffic violations, concerns have been raised regarding privacy implications and the potential for misuse of the monitoring systems. Opponents caution that the implementation may lead to a reliance on automated systems over traditional policing methods, diminishing the human element in traffic enforcement. Furthermore, there are fears that local jurisdictions may face pressure to adopt these systems primarily as revenue-generating tools rather than as measures to promote public safety.