Baltimore seeks to keep and expand I-83 automated speed-camera program, citing crash reductions

Baltimore City asked lawmakers to remove a sunset and increase the number of automated speed cameras on the city portion of Interstate 83. The city supported House Bill 9-13 during a hearing before the House Environment and Transportation Committee, arguing that the cameras have reduced crashes near existing camera sites and that additional cameras would enlarge the safety benefits.

Nina Themelas, representing Mayor Scott's office, said the bill would expand cameras from one northbound and one southbound unit to two in each direction and eliminate a June 2026 sunset. "What we found, during the time that these cameras have been implemented is that we've seen major reductions of incidents within a half mile mile radius of the cameras," Themelas said. Baltimore transportation staff provided data showing crash declines in 2022 and 2023 after the cameras were activated.

Committee members questioned the city's ability to collect unpaid citations. Philip Mellerson of the Baltimore Department of Transportation said collection rates are roughly 67–72 percent and that a portion of nonpayments are attributable to out-of-state drivers. Themelas said the city can and does transmit unpaid automated citations to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) for potential registration flags.

Committee members also asked whether additional enforcement tools, including vehicle immobilization, could be used to improve collection. City staff said they could pursue booting and other measures, but that some enforcement steps may require state authorization. The hearing produced no vote; city officials said they would continue to work with lawmakers on technical measures to improve enforcement and collections while maintaining camera-based safety enforcement.