Montgomery County Plans to Double the Number of Traffic Cameras by 2021
Love them or hate them, the number of speed and red light cameras in Montgomery County will double from its 2019 numbers by next year.
Currently there are 51 red light cameras and 325 approved locations between which 39 speed cameras rotate. At this time, the Montgomery County Police Department is selecting locations for new cameras and expects to officially buy them by 2021.
Assistant Chief Tom Didone of the MCPD hopes that these measures will curb reckless driving and prevent accidents. The county typically sees between 35 to 40 fatal crashes every year.
An average of 350,000 to 500,000 automated tickets are given out annually, garnering $100 million in county revenue in the past five years. To those who call it a money grab, Didone says: “Don’t exceed the speed limit by 10 miles and you never have to worry.”
The county can only place traffic cameras in residential areas or school zones with a speed limit of 35 mph or lower, and they must be clearly advertised and marked. Drivers can find the locations of every traffic camera in the county here.
By Alicia Clanton