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.