Bad Drivers to Fund Maryland Rescue Choppers, EMS
Funds to replace Maryland's helicopter fleet will come from motorists who receive citations for speeding and other violations.
Money also derived from the $7.50 surcharge on tickets will help volunteer fire and rescue companies purchase equipment. The law, signed by Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich last week, goes into effect in October.
The measure that passed in the last days of the session was one of several introduced to help defray costs to replace Maryland State Police helicopters. It will not generate as much money as another proposal that involved attaching a fine to points on a drivers' license.
Under that proposal, drivers who accumulated three or more points would have been charged $50 per point for three consecutive years. If they failed to pay, their license would have been suspended.
Even though that measure failed, supporters say they are pleased that the costs associated with emergency medical services are being passed along to drivers. "This is a big victory, an excellent beginning," said Delegate Bill Bronrott, of Montgomery County.
The surcharge will be added to all citations for which points can be assessed. After paying the District Court for its costs to initiate the changes, the money will be split between the state police aviation division and volunteer assistance fund.
Once the firefighters' equipment fund reaches $20 million, all the money will go to the replacement fund, according to legislative documents.
In 1990, the first Dauphin helicopter took its place in a state police hangar. Over the past several years, the 12 twin-engine choppers have undergone extensive maintenance and inspections. But, officers say it's time to begin replacing them.
Based on estimates, the state said it's possible to collect about $3.1 million annually after the first year.
A study on the state's helicopter fleet and possible funding issues is due to the General Assembly in August. But, there are many issues to be resolved before the bid process begins, said Capt. Thomas Williams, of the state police government affairs unit.
"We have to have a funding source. This is going to be expensive," he said.
In addition to buying helicopters, the funds can be used for equipment and supplies to maintain the fleet.
The Maryland State Police made the country's first Medevac flight in 1970, and to date, have transported more than 100,000 patients to specialty care centers. Last year, they transported 5,200 critically injured or ill people. No bills are sent as the system is funded by the state.
The helicopters also are used for law enforcement missions, hoists, searches and homeland security. One crew recently plucked workers off a burning tower in West Virginia, while another rescued a seriously injured kayaker out of a river.
