Montgomery County To Begin Operation of Red Light Enforcement Cameras

mh/redlght.pr 98-42

Contact: Emil Wolanin, 301-217-2190 (Department of Public Works and Transportation)
Lt. Skip Lanham, 301-840-2881 (Department of Police)

Montgomery County To Begin Operation
of Red Light Enforcement Cameras

Montgomery County will soon enlist the aid of enforcement cameras to help nab
motorists who run red lights. County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced that
the County is ready to begin operation of its first camera, located at a busy Bethesda
intersection. By early March, officials expect to first start issuing warnings to owners of
vehicles caught by the high-speed digital camera. Following a test period, County police will
then begin to issue $75 citations to offenders.
"Motorists who run red lights pose a serious threat to the safety of other drivers,
pedestrians and themselves," said Duncan. "We now have the technology to enhance our
enforcement efforts and to help curb this dangerous driving behavior."
The red light enforcement camera system consists of a single elevated computerized
camera and several speed sensors that are installed in the road surface. Once the sensors
detect that the vehicle will not stop in time before the light turns red, it sends a signal to the
camera. The camera then takes a series of digital images of the intersection, the vehicle's
position within the intersection, and the vehicle's license plate. The three photos are then
transmitted from the camera electronically to a designated location. Using motor vehicle

records, the owner of the vehicle is mailed a traffic citation or warning and copies of the
photographic evidence. Because the driver's identification cannot be determined by the
camera, under Maryland law, the violation is not considered a moving violation and no points
are assessed against the owner's driving record. In addition, no copies of the citation or
photos are sent to the motorist's insurance company.
The pilot project, which is funded by a $100,000 federal transportation grant, is a joint
effort between Montgomery and Howard counties. While red light enforcement cameras have
been in use for sometime in other areas, Montgomery County and other Maryland
jurisdictions were unable to use the technology until the General Assembly passed legislation
last year, granting local jurisdictions the authority to issue traffic citations to red light
violators detected by the camera system.
"As the original sponsor of the State bill to put cameras at intersections, I'm really
pleased to see the County starting to implement this program," said State Senator Leonard H.
Teitelbaum (District 19).
Following completion of the pilot program, County police and Department of Public
Works and Transportation staff will make a recommendation to County officials on whether
to proceed with purchasing additional cameras for use at other intersections. The purchase
cost of the system, per intersection, is approximately $50,000.
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