Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the goal of automated speed enforcement?
- How serious is the speeding problem in Baltimore County?
- How do speed cameras work?
- Where are the radar units located, and how are the sites selected?
- How will I know if I am in a speed camera zone
Isn’t it an invasion of privacy for a speed camera to photograph my vehicle without my permission?
Q: What is the goal of automated speed enforcement?
A: The goal is to decrease speeding violations and crashes and, as a result, prevent injuries and save lives. Speeding in school zones is a significant public safety problem. The Baltimore County Police developed this program to increase the effectiveness of speed enforcement in areas with recurring speeding problems. Safe Speed will provide consistent speed enforcement that will allow police officers to devote their time to other law enforcement duties.
Q: How serious is the speeding problem in Baltimore County?
A: According to the National Study Center at the University of Maryland, more drivers were cited for speeding in Baltimore County in 2007 than any other type of traffic violation (20 percent of all traffic violations).
A: A vehicle passing one of the camera locations above the determined threshold speed will be the subject of a series of photographs taken to document the violation. The photographs will then be processed and the license plate will be reviewed to identify the registered owner. The owner will be sent the citation, which will include copies of the violation photos and the marked vehicle speed.
Q: Where are the radar units located, and how are the sites selected?
A: Initially, 12-15 speed cameras will be located in enforcement zones throughout the County. The Baltimore County Police Department will use a variety of factors to determine the camera deployment areas, including a location’s crash and violation history, traffic complaints from the public, and proximity to schools. Once identified, those locations will be listed on the Safe Speed web site.
Q: How will I know if I am in a speed camera zone?
A: Baltimore County is in the process of installing special signage to alert motorists that automated photo enforcement may be in use.
Q: If I drive past a speed camera at 2 or 3 mph over the speed limit, will I automatically get a ticket?
A: No. The established threshold speeds are reasonable and will be based upon the speed limit of the enforcement zone where the cameras are in use.
A: Violators must pay a $40 fine. Since the violations are being treated as civil and not criminal violations, there are no license points assigned and vehicle insurance providers are not notified of the citation.
Q: Are there any fees in addition to the fine?
A: The state set an administrative fee of $2.00 for each uncontested fine. For contested fines, the Courts will administer a fee of $22.50.
Q: Where do I pay my fine?
A: Citations may be paid online, by mail or in person as noted on each violation notice.
Q: Can I appeal a speed camera citation?
A: Yes. Any vehicle owner who receives a citation will have the option to appeal. Citations can be contested in Maryland District Court. Details are included on each violation notice.
Q: How will the money from the fines be used?
A: Maryland law requires the County and local jurisdictions to designate money from speed camera fines for public safety programs.
Q: What if I wasn’t driving my car at the time of the violation? Am I still responsible for paying the citation?
A: The law provides that the registered owner must provide a signed affidavit that states they were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and provide the name, address and, if possible, the driver’s license identification number of the person who was driving at time of the violation. The police have the discretion to then forward the citation notice to the person identified by the registered owner.
Q: Isn’t it an invasion of privacy for a speed camera to photograph my vehicle without my permission?
A: No. Individuals who are breaking the law are not entitled to privacy according to established court doctrine. Speed cameras only take photographs of vehicles whose drivers choose to violate traffic laws by speeding. When motorists apply for a driver’s license, they are agreeing to abide by the rules of the road. The purpose of speed cameras is not to invade the privacy of citizens, but rather to detect motorists who violate the law and endanger the lives of other motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Q: I’m worried about the erosion of our basic civil rights. What’s the difference between speed cameras and surveillance devices?
A: Speed cameras only record vehicles traveling at excessive speeds; they do not continuously monitor all vehicles in the enforcement zone. Law-abiding citizens are unaffected by the use of this technology, since it only activates when a vehicle passes the camera at an excessive speed.
Q: It may be weeks before a person is given notification of a citation. Won’t that make it more difficult to challenge the citation?
A: Photo enforcement technology and processing systems mail the citation in a very short timeframe – usually within 14 days. This is also comparable to many court dates motorists would receive from traffic citations given by police patrol officers.
Revised November 5, 2009
Courthouse 