Frequently Asked Questions (click on selection)

 

1. How do speed cameras work?
2. Where are the camera units located, and how are the sites selected?
3. If I drive past a speed camera at 2 or 3 mph over the speed limit, will I automatically get a ticket?
4. What is the fine?
5. Where do I pay my fine?
6. Can I contest a speed camera citation?
7. Can I contest a speed camera citation through the mail?
8. How do I request court?
9. What if I wasn’t driving my car at the time of the violation? Am I still responsible for paying the citation?
10. Isn’t it an invasion of privacy for a speed camera to photograph my vehicle without my permission?
11. It may be weeks before a person is given notification of citation. Won’t that make it more difficult to challenge the citation?
12. What is the Maryland Law authorizing automated traffic enforcement?
13. Will my tags be flagged or suspended if I don’t pay my citation?
14. Why does the citation go to the leasing company?
    

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Q: How do speed cameras work?

A: A vehicle passing one of the camera locations at or above the twelve (12) mph 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.

2. Q: Where are the camera units located, and how are the sites selected?

A: Select here for list.
The Montgomery County Police are using a variety of factors to determine the camera deployment areas, including a location's accident endangerment, speed endangerment, pedestrian proximity, traffic complaints from the public, and designation as a school zone.

3. 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 for speed is twelve (12) mph over the speed limit.

4. Q: What is the fine?

A: Violators must pay $40 for the initial fine. Since the violations are treated as civil and not criminal violations, there are no license points assigned and vehicle insurance providers are not notified of the citation.

No points are assessed for photo-enforced violations in Montgomery County.

Citation Age	In- State	Out of State
1-30 days	$40	$40
31- 60 days	$65	$65/Collections
61- 90 days	Warning Notice	N/A
91 + days	$85/Flagged/ Collections	N/A

 

5. Q: How do I pay my fine?

A: Payment Options:

PAY BY WEB: Go to http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/safespeedpay to pay via credit card (VISA/MC). 

PAY BY PHONE: Call 1-866-818-3844 and follow the automated prompts.  Please have your ticket number and credit card ready.

PAY BY MAIL: Check or money order should be made payable to Montgomery County.  Mail your payment and remittance stub to: P.O. Box 10549, Rockville, MD 20849.  Write the citation number and license plate number on your check or money order TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT.  Returned checks are subject to electronic redeposit for the face amount and a returned check fee of $35.00.  DO NOT SEND CASH.

WALK-IN PAYMENTS: Pay in person at 4040 Blackburn Ln. Suite 200, Burtonsville, MD 20886 (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm), or 255 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20850. Entrance on Monroe Street (Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm).  Methods of payment accepted are cash, check, money order or credit card (Visa/MC).

6. Q: Can I contest a speed camera citation?

A: Yes, Any vehicle owner who receives a citation will have the option to contest the violation at least five (5) days prior to the due date on the citation. Citations can be contested in Maryland District Court. Details are included on the back of each citation.

7. Q: Can I contest a speed camera citation through the mail?

A: In Montgomery County no mail in adjudication is performed, you must appear in court to dispute the fine.

8. Q: How do I request court?

A: At least five (5) days prior to the due date on citation, you must request court by mailing in the bottom portion of the citation to P.O. Box 10549, Rockville, MD 20849.

9. 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 collaborating evidence such as the name and address of the person who was driving at the time of the violation. The letter must include, "I swear and affirm", mail it to: Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit, P.O. Box 10314, Gaithersburg, MD 20898. That information is then forwarded to the District Court Judge who will render a decision.

Sample of Affidavit

10. 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 the rear of the vehicles which 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 endangering the lives of other motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

11. Q: It may be weeks before a person is given notification of citation. Won’t that make it more difficult to challenge the citation?

A: Photo enforcement technology and processing systems mail the citation within fourteen (14) days for in-state plates and thirty (30) days for out of state plates. This is also comparable to many court dates motorists would receive from traffic citations given by police patrol officers.

12. Q: What is the Maryland Law authorizing automated traffic enforcement?

A: Maryland Transportation Article 21-809

13. Q: Will my tags be flagged or suspended if I don’t pay my citation?

A:  Yes, if the citation meets Maryland MVA criteria.

14. Q: Why does the citation go to the leasing company?

A:  We are required to use the name and address listed in MVA under the registered owner of the license plate.

Last Edited 07/26/2010