Speed Monitoring Systems

Overview of the Program

The City of Frederick is prepared to launch its automated speed monitoring program in an effort to decrease driver speeds in school zones throughout the City. In an effort to promote safe driving habits throughout our communities and particularly in our school zones, the City of Frederick is launching this important initiative. The automated speed enforcement program is designed to reduce driver speeds and make our streets safer for our children, motorists, and citizens.

New Speed Enforcement Initiative

The City's new speed enforcement initiative will begin in May of 2011. During the initial 30 day warning period, motorists who exceed the speed limit by 12 miles per hour while driving through City school zones will receive warning notices in the mail.

Citations

Once the warning period is complete, actual citations will be issued to the registered owner of the car that was recorded exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 miles per hour. Each violation carries a maximum fine of $40. These citations are not reported to insurance companies and no license points will be assessed on your driver's license. A typical traffic violation issued by a police officer on a normal motor vehicle citation for the same offense is a $140 fine and 2 points. Notification signs will be placed at all speed enforcement locations so that motorists will be aware that they are approaching an automated speed enforcement zone. 

The goal of the program is to make the streets of the City of Frederick safer by changing aggressive driving behavior.

Locations

• Southbound in the 1700 block of Opossumtown Pike
• Westbound in the 7400 block of Hayward Road
• Eastbound in the 7300 block of Hayward Road
• Southbound in the 1600 block of N Market Street
• Northbound in the 1400 block of NE Street
• Southbound in the 1400 block of NE Street
• Southbound Motter Avenue at N Frederick Elementary School
• Southbound 8400 block of Opossumtown Pike
• Westbound 1800 block of Schifferstadt Boulevard
• Northbound 1500 block of N Market Street
• 500 block of Hillcrest Drive
• Northbound in the 1700 Block of Opossumtown Pike
• Southbound in the 1100 block of Motter Avenue
• Eastbound in the 1800 block of Schifferstadt Boulevard
• Eastbound lanes of Christophers Crossing between Moran Drive and Crestone Drive
  
• Westbound lanes of Christophers Crossing between Moran Drive and Crestone Drive

Making School Zones Safer

Speeding, i.e. driving too fast for conditions, is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Nearly one-third of all fatal crashes are speed-related. (NHTSA, 2007)

In a school zone, staying alert and obeying the posted speed limit is imperative for public safety. Encouraging motorists to travel at safe speeds in school zones is difficult using conventional traffic calming and enforcement techniques on certain roadways.

Maryland Law

Recognizing this situation, Maryland enacted a law, which took effect on October 1, 2009, that allows for automated speed enforcement in designated school zones across the State (TR§ 21-809). The State law authorizes each county and municipality to pass a local law authorizing the use of automated speed enforcement within its jurisdiction.

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)

ASE systems, commonly known as speed cameras, are one of a wide range of measures that are effective at reducing vehicle speeds and crashes. ASE systems use one or more devices to measure vehicle speeds and produce recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds above a defined threshold. The date, time, and location of a violation, the vehicle speed, and images of the offending vehicle's license plate will be recorded. Following the proper identification of the registered owner of the vehicle using the license plate number, the owner will be mailed a civil citation, which will include violation photos and the recorded information.

What a School Zone Is

Maryland law allows ASE systems in designated school zones. A clear definition of school zone must be established in order to implement an effective ASE program. The City of Frederick adopted legislation designating a ½ mile radius around the schools in the City as school zones. School zones are defined in the city code.

Signage

Maryland law requires that the appropriate signs be posted to alert motorists that they are entering a school zone and that photo enforcement may be in use. Signs must conform to the MdMUTCD and be positioned far enough in advance of the speed camera to allow drivers to adjust their travel speed, if necessary.

Facts

• The speed camera is triggered when a vehicle reaches a speed over a defined threshold. Per Maryland law, images may only be used to issue a citation if a vehicle is exceeding the speed limit by 12 miles per hour or more.
• Photo violations do not result in points and may not typically be used to increase a person's insurance rates.
• The maximum fine of $40 for a photo-violation is lower than the typical fine for a similar school zone speeding violation.
• Recipients of citations may contest them in District Court.
• The operation of school zone cameras is restricted to Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The only warning will be issued for the first 30 days of the implementation of the program.