Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders are confident Maryland is becoming safer after signing new domestic violence laws and authorizing speed cameras statewide in work and school zones.

The bills were signed yesterday by O'Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, and House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Annapolis.

"There is no more important thing that we do in government than safeguard and protect the lives of our people," O'Malley said. "There is no such thing as a spare Marylander."

One set of bills, a top priority of the governor during the legislative session, will go into effect on Oct. 1...