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Prince George's County will not set up fixed cameras to deter speeding near schools this year, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) said today.

Johnson said he decided not to move forward with putting up to 100 cameras in school zones over the next two years because they would be an "extra tax" on drivers and also be very unpopular. Instead, county police will have a small fleet of vans equipped with cameras to use as needed in school zones where there are speeding concerns.

"I talked to average citizens about it," he said. "They feel it's just a way of taking money out of citizens' pockets."

The devices have been used in Montgomery County for several years and brought in millions in traffic fines for public safety. Since the Maryland General Assembly first gave Montgomery County permission to pilot the cameras two years ago, Prince George's officials have lobbied for their own chance to use the cameras, noting the county leads the state in pedestrian deaths and fatal vehicle crashes.

Under statewide legislation that passed the General Assembly last year, all counties and municipalities now have the option to set up speed cameras in school zones and construction areas to catch drivers that go more than 12 miles over the posted limit. Drivers caught on camera would have to pay a $40 fine by mail.

Though some officials say the devices have a proven track record of curbing unsafe driving, the devices are unpopular with many drivers, who say governments use them to trap motorists.

"Everybody says that it's all about public safety, but you have to conclude that money plays a role," said Lon Anderson, a government lobbyist for the AAA Mid-Atlantic driving group.

In October, the County Council passed legislation allowing the cameras to be used in the county, and a county agency began hammering out contracts with interested firms. Plans called for rolling out two cameras at each of the 50 target schools over a two-and-a-half year period.

Citing reports he had seen, Johnson said the cameras were expected to bring the county $122,000 a year in profits after fines paid for operating costs. Those figures would mean more than 3,000 camera tickets being issued per year.

"[That would be unpopular with] a lot of people," Johnson said.

County Council members said earlier this week they were unaware the speed cameras project has been scaled down.

"It's good. It won't do as much as we intended," said Councilman Tony Knotts (D-Dist. 8) of Temple Hills, a longtime supporter of getting the fixed cameras to stop speeders near south county schools.

"It's good to have something," said Knotts, who said today that he was trying to get details on the plan from the executive. "Something is better than nothing."

Johnson said the county plans to purchase a small fleet of six to eight mobile speed cameras that can be used to target problem areas temporarily. The cameras would be under the control of county police rather than the Revenue Authority.

"I think that will give us the coverage we need," he said. "If a community complains, we can move it there."

Knotts wondered if the county would still be able to fine drivers using temporary cameras. Under the state law, drivers caught at any new speed camera location only receive warning letters for the first 30 days of operation instead of $40 citations.

Anderson applauded Johnson's decision.

"I'm impressed. My hat's off to him," he said. "He's putting his money where his mouth is."

Some political observers speculated whether political ambitions were involved in Johnson's decision.

Johnson, who is barred from running for county executive due to term limits, said he plans to announce later this month whether he will seek election to a state office.

Though stationary cameras are not likely to come to Prince George's this year, drivers will still have to contend with the devices in some places. Maryland State Highway officials currently have mobile speed cameras on Interstate 95 near Laurel at the site of the upcoming Intercounty Connector highway, and several municipalities are moving forward with their own camera plans.

"As far as I know, the city of Bowie is going forward with ours," said Todd Turner, a Bowie city councilman. "Of course, our election was last November."

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net