MACo Calls for Local Input on State Highway Speed Provisions

Sarah Sample

February 19

On February 15, 2024, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 513- Motor Vehicles- Work Zone Speed Control Systems- Revisions (Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024) with amendments. This bill expands the use of speed monitoring cameras in designated work zones on certain state highways and increases the fee for the violation assessed by the speed monitoring cameras.

Counties manage 83 percent of Maryland roadways, with hundreds of workers bringing repair and maintenance projects to fruition. This accounts for a significant volume of work local government employees are doing every year in these dangerous settings, at all hours of the night, where cars are driving by constantly.

From MACo Testimony:

The provisions of this bill give the State the authority to take measures that can ensure the safety of their own workers but does not extend that authority to local governments to protect the local county workforce. Counties would propose an amendment extending parallel authority in the bill for local governments on county roads and highways with at least a 45 miles per hour speed limit.