Bill Thompson
WMAL

WASHINGTON–Speeding in a school zone in Prince George’s County is about to get more expensive.

County police are soon going to begin using handheld speed-cameras in school zones, says Major Robert Liberati.

“I believe we are the second jurisdiction in the country to put them into use,” he said.

The cameras will also be safer for officers.

“They don’t have to step out in traffic to try to pull somebody over,” Liberati said, adding that doing so is especially dangerous when drunk drivers are on the road.

For the first 30 days, drivers caught by the mobile speed cameras will get warnings in the mail.

“After 30 days, we will begin issuing a $40 fine as we do with all of our other speed camera violations.”

While getting a ticket a couple weeks after the fact may not have the same impact as getting pulled over, Liberati said he is confident it will make a difference.

“Believe me, once you’ve had a couple of these tickets you slow down.”

Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: PG Police)