Maryland County Pushing for School Traffic Cameras

Posted on Jan 10, 2008

Prince George’s County officials aren’t waiting for Maryland state administrators to make up their minds.

Although Del. Barbara A, Frush (D-Dist 21) of Beltsville said a state bill for installing speed cameras on school grounds is likely to pass during this year’s state General Assembly session, the county has a back-up plan.

If the bill fails, Del. Justin D. Ross (D-Dist. 22) of Greenbelt and Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Dist. 22) of University Park are sponsoring a bill to have cameras installed within a half-mile of schools in the county. Motorists traveling 10 mph or more over the speed limit would be fined $40, according to the gazette.net.

Main Road Targeted

Heavily-trafficked Allentown Road is the epicenter of concern. Tayac Elementary, Isaac J. Gourdine Middle and Friendly High schools — with a combined total of more than 2,600 students — are located within a 2-mile radius of Allentown Road in Fort Washington. More than 60,000 motorists use Allentown Road every day and 14 people have died on that road since 2000, said the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Four year ago, Taura Lloyd and her 8-year-old daughter were hit as they crossed Allentown Road in front of Gourdine. The woman died at the scene after she was hit by one car and hit again by a second car traveling in the opposite direction, according to police. Her 8-year-old daughter, a Tayac student, suffered a broken arm and broken leg.

Del. Jay Walker (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington said the area along Allentown Road is dangerous. ‘‘You have a road where in a less-than-2-mile radius, thousands of children are threatened by speeding motorists,” he said. “You’ve got to have those cameras installed.”

Tia Stephens, president of Gourdine’s parent, teacher, student association, supports speed cameras. ‘‘I’m concerned about speeding,” she said. ‘‘Especially with the winter months and icy conditions, we are more concerned than ever.”