Montgomery fights speed camera suit
Montgomery County is trying to dismiss a class-action lawsuit charging that the county operates its speed camera program illegally, the Washington Examiner reports.
The lawsuit says the county is breaking state law by paying its camera contractor, Affiliated Computer Services, on a per ticket basis. The county gives 40 percent of its ticket revenues -- or $16.25 per ticket -- to ACS. Maryland law prohibits per ticket payments to camera operators to avoid a financial incentive for issuing more tickets.
But Montgomery officials say the county, not ACS, operates the camera system. After the lawsuit was filed in 2008, Montgomery amended its contract with ACS to read, "Contractor provides vehicles and equipment but does not operate the speed monitoring system."
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Washington Post editors
| May 17, 2010; 10:35 AM ET
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Affiliated Computer Services, Counties, Maryland, Montgomery, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Maryland, United States
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Posted by: mloaks | May 17, 2010 1:04 PM | Report abuse
An article (headline: "Special License Plates Shield Officials from Traffic Tickets") pointed out that "in California there are nearly one million PRIVATE vehicles having 'confidential' license plate numbers that are protected from easy or efficient look up, thus are effectively invisible to agencies attempting to process parking, toll, and red light camera violations." (OC Register, California, 4-4-08.) Such "protected plate" lists exist in most states, including Maryland, and many are bloated, like California's. (In California the list includes politicians - even local ones - judges, bureaucrats, and many other govt. employees. And their families! Plus such oddities as veterinarians and museum guards.)
A Post reporter should investigate to see how many, and who, are on the lists in the District and the neighboring states.
Posted by: Henry66 | May 17, 2010 9:40 PM | Report abuse
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hang up and drive MoCo, but drive slower