- Home
- Government
- Departments & Staff
- Police
- School Zone Speed Cameras
School Zone Speed Cameras
School Zone Speed Safety Program
The Mayor and Common Council of the Town of University Park have authorized the use of speed monitoring systems in designated school zones and within one-half mile of the University Park Elementary School. The Town of University Park will start operations of its speed monitoring systems with a 30-day warning period beginning on Thursday, August 12, 2021. The location of the first speed monitoring systems will be on East West Highway and Adelphi Road.
In accordance with State Law, beginning after Sunday, September 12, 2021, the Town of University Park will issue $40.00 civil citations to vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit by 12 miles per hour or more.
Why the Program Began
Speeding is dangerous and often deadly. In 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 9,300 fatalities in crashes where aggressive driving or speeding was a contributing factor.
A vehicle’s level of speed also has a significant impact on a pedestrian’s level of risk for severe injury or death. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 m.p.h. is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed, compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph.
The use of school zone speed safety cameras is authorized under the §21-809, of the Transportation Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. The Town’s Police Department partnered with VerraMobility to conduct a school zone speed study. The study revealed a need for a school zone speed safety camera program. The speed camera program provides a safer school zone, while also benefiting the community allowing more resources for community policing.
University Park will be using state-of-the-art digital unmanned cameras and proven violation detection technology to help decrease potential violations at school zone locations in and on the perimeter of the Town, in addition to using officer operated speed detection equipment. Speed safety cameras have shown to be effective in reducing crashes as well as pedestrian-related injuries. Most importantly, communities that use speed safety cameras consistently report safer roads around their schools. The program helps ensure that drivers pay more attention and obey traffic control devices.
Where the Cameras are Located
- East West Highway - north side of East West Highway from Baltimore Avenue to Adelphi Road
- Adelphi Road - north/east side of Adelphi Road from East West Highway to Wells Parkway
- Baltimore Avenue - south side of Baltimore Avenue from Wells Parkway to Tuckerman Street
How it Works
The Town of University Park utilizes transportable and handheld speed safety cameras. The technology for the cameras is shown in the illustrations below.
Violations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle after review and approval of the data and recorded images by a member of the Police Department. The speed safety camera installations represent state-of-the-art technology that is precise and unbiased in its ability to identify vehicles speeding.
School Zone Speed Safety FAQs
- When are the school zone speed safety cameras operational?
- Are there signs posted where school zone speed safety cameras are operating?
- What is the fine amount for a school zone speeding violation?
- Will “points” be assessed to my driving record?
- How do the school zone speed safety cameras work?
- How do I pay the fine?
- What if I don’t agree with my speeding violation? How can I dispute it?
- What if I lost my Notice of Violation?
- What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation?
- Who receives the Notice of Violation?
- Can I receive violations for other offenses as a result of the speed safety camera violation?
- Why has the Town of University Park installed school zone speed safety cameras?
Contact Us
For further information, contact University Park Police Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Gilead at egilead@upmd.org or call (301) 277-0050.