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What are automated speed enforcement (ASE) systems? |
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An automated speed enforcement (ASE) system is an enforcement technique with one or more motor vehicle sensors producing recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds above a defined threshold. Images captured by the ASE system are processed and reviewed in an office environment and violation notices are mailed to the registered owner of the identified vehicle. Often, these systems are referred to as speed cameras. |
Does my jurisdiction need to pass a law prior to installing speed cameras? |
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Yes. Local jurisdictions must pass a local law authorizing the use of automated speed enforcement systems prior to placing them on their roadways. Jurisdictions must provide reasonable public notice and hold a public hearing prior to passing this local law. |
Will the Maryland State Police implement the ASE Program in my jurisdiction? |
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No. Local law enforcement is responsible for implementing School Zone ASE programs. |
What do we do if our municipality does not maintain a police force? |
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If your municipality does not maintain a police force, Maryland law allows you to establish or designate an agency to implement your School Zone ASE program. |
What is a “School Area?” |
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The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) defines a “School Area” as the area surrounding, and within one-half mile of, a school building or property and within which motor vehicle, pedestrian or bicycle traffic is substantially generated or influenced by the school. School Zones may be designated within this “School Area”. Refer to Question 6 for SHA’s definition of a “School Zone”. |
What is a “School Zone?” How can I identify the limits of a school zone? |
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The Maryland State Highway Administration defines a “School Zone” as a segment of highway located within a School Area that is (1) routinely used by pupils for access to or egress from school buildings or grounds, (2) established by official action, and (3) designated by appropriate signs. |
Are all roads within a one-half (½) mile radius of a school considered to be in a “School Zone?” |
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No. The Maryland Annotated Code (TR § 21-803.1) allows School Zones to be established within a one-half mile radius of any school. However, this does not mean that all roadways within a one-half mile radius of a school are considered School Zones. The State Highway Administration or the local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway must officially establish a School Zone and designate it with the appropriate signs before it becomes a School Zone. |
Should we put speed cameras in all of our school zones? |
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No. Speed cameras should only be placed in school zones with documented speed-related safety problems. Appropriate site selection is essential to achieve the highest level of safety benefits and to ensure that public safety is the top priority of all ASE programs. A traffic safety study, which examines traffic data, crash history, speeds, previous citations, and citizen concerns, should be conducted to determine whether a speed camera is justified at a particular site. SHA’s Guidelines for Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems in School Zones (PDF, 682kb) provide additional guidance on site assessments for speed cameras. |
What is the process for obtaining authorization to install a speed camera on a State route? |
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Installing a speed camera in a school zone along a State route requires the approval of the State Highway Administration. A representative of the local jurisdiction must complete and submit an Application for Automated Speed Enforcement Systems in School Zones (PDF, 102kb) and all required attachments to the District Engineer in the appropriate District Office. The application package will include: -
SHA District Permit Application -
Vicinity Map -
A traffic safety study and justification for installation of the ASE system -
Plans for the ASE system, including supporting technical documentation and equipment specifications from the ASE system vendor -
Evaluation plan (for before-after studies) -
Documentation of local law enforcement approval -
Documentation of local ordinance or resolution approving the use of ASE systems Refer to Attachment A: Process for Submittal and Review of Applications for ASE Systems on State Highways in SHA’s Guidelines for Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems in School Zones (PDF, 682kb) for additional information. |
What are the requirements for notifying the public of the speed camera locations? |
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Once the first speed camera is deployed, can we automatically start issuing citations? |
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No. For a period of at least 30 days after the first school zone speed camera is installed in a jurisdiction, violations recorded may only be enforced by the issuance of warnings. |
Are there restrictions on the days and times we can issue tickets? |
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Yes. Maryland law restricts the recording of images in school zones to Monday through Friday, from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M. Within those limits, each jurisdiction or municipality may set the time periods for enforcement. |
To whom will the citation penalties be paid? |
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For uncontested citations, the penalty will be paid directly to the political subdivision. For contested citations, the penalty will be paid directly to the District Court. |
How can revenue from the fines be used? |
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Revenue must first be used to recover the costs of implementing and administering the School Zone ASE program. Any remaining balance must be used for public safety purposes, including pedestrian safety programs. However, for any fiscal year, if the balance after recovering program costs is greater than 10% of the total revenue for a political subdivision for that fiscal year, any funds that exceed that 10% total must be remitted to the Comptroller to be placed in the General Fund of the State. |
If my County wants to place a speed camera on a State route within the boundaries of a municipality, what are we required to do? |
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First, you must obtain the permission of the State Highway Administration (SHA) to use a speed camera at the proposed location within that municipality. This is done by completing and submitting an Application for Automated Speed Enforcement Systems in School Zones (PDF, 102kb) and all required attachments to the District Engineer in the appropriate District Office. The application package will include: -
SHA District Permit Application -
Vicinity Map -
A traffic safety study and justification for installation of the ASE system -
Plans for the ASE system, including supporting technical documentation and equipment specifications from the ASE system vendor -
Evaluation plan (for before-after studies) -
Documentation of local law enforcement approval -
Documentation of local ordinance or resolution approving the use of ASE systems Refer to Attachment A: Process for Submittal and Review of Applications for ASE Systems on State Highways in SHA’s Guidelines for Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems in School Zones (PDF, 682kb) for additional information on the application process. Once SHA has approved the use of the speed camera at the proposed location, the County must notify the municipal corporation of SHA’s approval. The County must also grant the municipal corporation 60 days from the date of notice to enact an ordinance authorizing the use of the speed camera by the municipal corporation instead of the County. |
Will SHA provide funding for my jurisdiction’s School Zone ASE program? |
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No. Each jurisdiction and municipal corporation is responsible for all costs associated with their ASE program. To fund ASE programs, Maryland law provides that revenues collected from citations issued using the speed cameras revert to the jurisdiction in uncontested cases. SHA provides no financial assistance for local speed camera programs. |
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