Prince George’s County’s speed camera program is raking in more dollars than expected as officials continue to expand the program.
The county will bring in an estimated $8 million to $9 million in revenue from speeding citations issued by cameras in fiscal 2012, according to Tom Himler, the county’s deputy chief administrative officer for budget, finance and administration — nearly double the $4.3 million in revenue officials originally projected in the budget.
Some cameras caught more speeding motorists than officials expected in the months after the program’s start in September, Himler said.
Police have seen diminishing returns from cameras on some roads, as drivers grow accustomed to the speed traps, according to Maj. Robert Liberati, head of the county police’s Forensic Services Division.
Police had mailed 166,619 citations at the end of February, he said.
The department is on track to add about six cameras a month through the summer to the 33 already in service. Come September, Prince George’s will have a fleet of 72 mobile speed cameras, Liberati said.
With the full implementation of the program expected in fiscal 2013, county budget officials estimate $16.8 million in revenue, not including payments to Optotraffic, which operates the county’s speed cameras. – Ben Giles
