Starting Wednesday morning, speed cameras will start issuing tickets to lead-footed motorists in Takoma Park, Md.
Takoma Park is late to the speed camera game. The District and Montgomery County have been utilizing the hated devices for years.
Takoma Park's cameras are installed at the 7200 block of New Hampshire Avenue and the 500 block of Ethan Allen Avenue. Those stretches are considered "problem areas," due to numerous traffic and pedestrian accidents.
For a while, the cameras have been issuing "warning" tickets. Now, they're firing live ammunition: a $40 fine, albeit no drivers license points.
Takoma Park Police Chief Ronald Ricucci said he knows the cameras will be no more popular with motorists in his suburban community than they have been elsewhere.
"Our ultimate goal, as I told the [Takoma Park city] council, is that we want to take down the cameras [when] we get compliance with our speed limits," Chief Ricucci said. "Our object is to reduce speed, reduce accidents and save lives."
