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1. When are the school zone speed safety cameras operational?

School zone speed safety camera located on the 4300 North side block of East West Highway from Baltimore Avenue to Adelphi Road will only be operational Monday through Friday, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Violations will not be captured during summer months. A school zone is an area within a half-mile radius of any school established by Prince George's County and the State Highway Administration, pursuant to the Maryland Transportation Code 21-803.1

2. Are there signs posted where school zone speed safety cameras are operating?

Any location where speed cameras are in operation must be marked by signs that indicate a speed monitoring system is in use.

3. What is the fine amount for a school zone speeding violation?

The fine amount for a school zone speed safety violation is $40.

4. Will “points” be assessed to my driving record?

No. A violation of §21-809 carries a civil monetary penalty only. 

5. How do the school zone speed safety cameras work?

The Town of University Park utilizes transportable and handheld speed safety cameras. The technology for the cameras is shown 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.

6. How do I pay the fine?

1. PAY ONLINE: Click HERE to pay online. There is an additional convenience fee for online payments.
2. PAYMENT BY MAIL: Send bottom portion of your violation along with a check or money order payable to the following address. Be sure to include the license plate and notice number on the face of your payment. Please do NOT mail cash. Mail to: University Park Police Department, Automated Photo Enforcement Program, 6724 Baltimore Avenue, University Park, MD 20782
3. PAY BY PHONE: Call 1-866-790-4111 Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am – 8pm (EST). Pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. There is an additional convenience fee for phone payments. You may use the following methods to pay the violation: Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover - a convenience fee of $4 will be charged for credit card payments); personal check, or money order.

 

7. What if I don’t agree with my speeding violation? How can I dispute it?

The owner of the vehicle is responsible for paying the fine in the Notice of Violation. If you don't agree with the speeding violation you have the right to contest the citation in court. You can also request review by the Town’s ombudsman before the deadline in the Notice for paying the citation or asking for a trial. To request this review, contact Elizabeth Gilead at (301) 277-0050 or egilead@upmd.org.

8. What if I lost my Notice of Violation?

Please call 1-866-790-4111 and have your license plate number readily available.

9. What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation?

The registered owner of a vehicle will be mailed the Notice of Violation. If your vehicle/plate was stolen or you are a rental/lease car agency, you may complete an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility and attach supporting documentation found on www.violationinfo.com. The Affidavit must be received by the due date of your Notice. The Affidavit and supporting documentation will be reviewed and will result in either dismissal of the notice or scheduling an administrative hearing. You will be notified in writing of any action taken.

10. Who receives the Notice of Violation?

Notices of Violation are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

11. Can I receive violations for other offenses as a result of the speed safety camera violation?

No. Owners who receive speed safety camera violations are cited for speed violations only.

12. Why has the Town of University Park installed school zone speed safety cameras?

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 m.p.h. 

 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.