New fine structure for speed cameras

SALISBURY, Md. — On the Eastern Shore, speeding cameras are a familiar sight on the roads. But starting Oct. 1, drivers caught going over the speed limit will be hit with fines that increase the faster you go.

House Bill 182, passed in May, repealed a provision that set the maximum fine for speeding violations recorded on traffic cameras at $40. Starting next month, an escalating penalty structure will be in place, with fines ranging from $40 to $425. Officials, including Capt. Ryan Koerner of the Salisbury Police Department, hope that the higher fines will encourage drivers to slow down.

“We want to mitigate injury; we want to mitigate accidents. Speeding is a large contributor to many accidents that we see every day,” Koerner said.

Locals have mixed feelings on the penalties. While some drivers are hopeful for safer roadways, others were surprised to hear about the hundreds of dollars they could owe if caught speeding.

“I didn’t believe it at first, but to see that they’re actually putting it in place is kind of crazy. I feel like they should have eased their way into it if they were going to do it,” Kaliyah King said.

Another driver said she had concerns about the accuracy of the monitoring systems and whether the cameras are placed in fair locations.

“Sometimes, the cameras are in places almost feeling like they’re just to get you — right at the edge of where it might turn to 50 or 40 miles an hour,” driver Mary Beth Quillen said.

Local officials said most speeding violations are recorded by cameras located on East College Avenue and on Route 50 in the area of Davis Street.