Distracted driver cameras coming to MoCo

[Anonymous]

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

A this point it becomes a tax. Driving is going to be expensive if you are going to be monitored every few feet and slapped with fines. Most people keep their phones on the dash and use them for directions, it may look like a person is distracted but it also could be them figuring out directions or changing directions. If you have navigation screen in your car you use it periodically while driving, but some people use their phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

A this point it becomes a tax. Driving is going to be expensive if you are going to be monitored every few feet and slapped with fines. Most people keep their phones on the dash and use them for directions, it may look like a person is distracted but it also could be them figuring out directions or changing directions. If you have navigation screen in your car you use it periodically while driving, but some people use their phones.

Don't you set your navigation up before leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

A this point it becomes a tax. Driving is going to be expensive if you are going to be monitored every few feet and slapped with fines. Most people keep their phones on the dash and use them for directions, it may look like a person is distracted but it also could be them figuring out directions or changing directions. If you have navigation screen in your car you use it periodically while driving, but some people use their phones.

Did you read the article?

Maheshwari said the technology is specifically created to detect a human hand as opposed to a phone holder.

“Our technology focuses on the device in somebody’s hand … all of this is state of the art. It didn’t exist two years ago,” Maheshwari said.

[Anonymous]

20% of drivers using cell phones in their hand while driving?! No wonder the drivers in this area are so awful.

[Anonymous]

I’ve real mixed feelings about this. I think distracted driving is so dangerous and I’ll honk at you if you’re sitting there on your phone when you’re supposed to be driving. I think if a police officer sees you driving distracted, you should be ticketed with points on your license.

Whether it’s rational or irrational, I have a problem with government surveillance inside my vehicle. It’s just a matter of principle for me. I’m sure it’ll pass here in Montgomery County because my fellow Montgomery county residents welcome government interference into their lives.

[Anonymous]

We need stop sign cameras. If you watch an intersection, ZERO cars come to a complete Stop, or even a NEAR stop, or Stop BEFORE the Stop sign, they stop in the crosswalk if at all. No turn signals, no stopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need stop sign cameras. If you watch an intersection, ZERO cars come to a complete Stop, or even a NEAR stop, or Stop BEFORE the Stop sign, they stop in the crosswalk if at all. No turn signals, no stopping.

Those don't seem to be working in DC, as pedestrian fatalities are increasing there. I am glad MoCo is trying something different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

A this point it becomes a tax. Driving is going to be expensive if you are going to be monitored every few feet and slapped with fines. Most people keep their phones on the dash and use them for directions, it may look like a person is distracted but it also could be them figuring out directions or changing directions. If you have navigation screen in your car you use it periodically while driving, but some people use their phones.

It’s a voluntary tax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need stop sign cameras. If you watch an intersection, ZERO cars come to a complete Stop, or even a NEAR stop, or Stop BEFORE the Stop sign, they stop in the crosswalk if at all. No turn signals, no stopping.

Those don't seem to be working in DC, as pedestrian fatalities are increasing there. I am glad MoCo is trying something different.

Yes they should have these camera at every stop sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

So the new AI technology can also ticket reckless driving, tailgating, speeding, etc. I really question why these cameras are not in place a long 95, 295, 395, 495, 66, 270, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/02/24/distracted-driving-camera-bill/

I hate speed cameras, but I am 100% in favor of these cameras because the dangerous driving I see over and over again comes from people using their cell phones. They swerve in their lanes, they don't move when a light turns green, they drive well below the speed limit and jam up traffic -- all because their faces are jammed into their phones. Accordingly to the article, in a pilot, "we were capturing 2,500 violations per day at these nine locations, basically 20% of all vehicles passed through the automated system violated distracted driving laws."

So the new AI technology can also ticket reckless driving, tailgating, speeding, etc. I really question why these cameras are not in place a long 95, 295, 395, 495, 66, 270, etc.

Because everything has tradeoffs, and probably lawmakers are smart enough to realize that having people slam on their brakes on highways to avoid camera tickets is really dangerous. People do it all the time when the speed limit is 30, but when the speed limit is 65, it will very likely do more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need stop sign cameras. If you watch an intersection, ZERO cars come to a complete Stop, or even a NEAR stop, or Stop BEFORE the Stop sign, they stop in the crosswalk if at all. No turn signals, no stopping.

Those don't seem to be working in DC, as pedestrian fatalities are increasing there. I am glad MoCo is trying something different.

It's not because people aren't stopping at Stop Signs. WaPo says "The rise, fueled by an increasing number of people being hit at night and by drunk drivers, "

[Anonymous]

I don't want to hear about another ticketing device being installed and the streets have huge crater size holes in them! What are they using this money for?? It's ridiculous! Create technology to address that first. I am so tired of dodging potholes while I drive and if I pop my tire the county makes it very hard to file a claim!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to hear about another ticketing device being installed and the streets have huge crater size holes in them! What are they using this money for?? It's ridiculous! Create technology to address that first. I am so tired of dodging potholes while I drive and if I pop my tire the county makes it very hard to file a claim!

Good question. The roads are terrible. Even all those bike lanes are not maintained. This is just another way to separate you from your hard-earned money. Where does it go? All the free stuff they provide. It's not actually free.