Baltimore Traffic Camera Tickets: What You Need To Know

Baltimore County uses speed and red-light cameras to enforce traffic regulations and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians. These cameras are placed in areas with high accident rates and traffic violations, with a focus on school zones. The cameras capture photo and video evidence of vehicles breaking the rules, and fines are issued accordingly. The use of these cameras has been authorised by the Maryland General Assembly and the Baltimore County Council. While these tickets are civil violations and do not affect insurance rates or driver's licenses, they can result in additional fees and penalties if left unpaid.

Baltimore's speed cameras are placed in school zones and work zones

Baltimore uses speed cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones and work zones. The Safe Speed Automated Enforcement Program, as it is called, was authorised by the Maryland General Assembly under Maryland Transportation Article 21-809. The program's primary goal is to modify driver behaviour and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

In Baltimore, speeding and running red lights are leading causes of death and injury on the roads. Speed cameras are proven to reduce speeding and are placed in areas where traffic data and citizen complaints show speeding is a problem. The cameras are either permanent fixtures or portable devices and are marked by signs. They measure vehicle speed using radar and record photo and video evidence of vehicles going at least 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

In school zones, speed cameras operate from 6 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, year-round. In work zones and along the I-83/Jones Falls Expressway, they operate 24 hours a day. The cameras are regularly reviewed for accuracy, with a daily self-test performed by the photo enforcement vendor and annual audits by an outside vendor.

Warnings and citations are issued to motorists who exceed the speed limit. During the first 30 days after a camera is activated, warnings are given to those travelling 12 miles or more above the speed limit. After 30 days, citations are issued, carrying a $40 fine. Vehicle owners may contest these fines in court, and details on how to appeal are included on the violation notice.

Traffic camera tickets must be paid in full within 30 days

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES) to enforce traffic regulations and improve safety on the roads. Under this program, traffic cameras are used to monitor speeding and red-light violations, which are leading causes of death and injury in Baltimore.

If you are caught speeding or running a red light by one of these traffic cameras, you will receive a citation or ticket. These tickets carry a fine, which must be paid in full within 30 days of receiving the violation notice. The fines are as follows:

• Speed camera fines are fixed at $40 per infraction.
• Red-light camera fines are fixed at $75 per infraction.
• Commercial vehicle height camera fines issue a warning for the first offense, a $125 fine for the second offense, and a $250 fine for the third and subsequent offenses.

You can pay these tickets online, by mail, or in person. If you wish to appeal a citation, you must create an account online.

Failure to pay the fine, request a violation review, or contest the violation within 30 days may result in additional fees and penalties. While these violations are civil citations and do not affect your license or insurance, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) reserves the right to refuse registration renewal for vehicles with over $1,000 in outstanding citations.

Red light camera fines are $75 per infraction

Baltimore has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES) to enforce traffic regulations and improve safety on its roads. This includes the use of speed and red-light cameras to monitor and enforce traffic rules.

Red-light cameras are placed at intersections and are connected to traffic signals to determine what cycle the light is on. These cameras capture photo and video evidence of vehicles that run red lights, including the license plate and rear of the vehicle. Running a red light is a leading cause of death and injury on Baltimore's roads, and these cameras are an effective way to improve safety for all road users.

Red light camera fines in Baltimore are fixed at $75 per infraction. These fines must be paid in full within 30 days from the violation notice date. Failure to pay the fine within this timeframe may result in additional fees and penalties from the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

If you wish to contest a red light camera ticket, you can request a hearing or appeal. In Baltimore County, you must call 410-887-2777 within 40 days of the issue date to request a hearing for a red light citation. You can also mail in your request or submit it in person. For those issued in the city, you can mail your request to Baltimore City Parking Fines at 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Vehicle owners can contest tickets in court

Baltimore County, Maryland, uses speed cameras and red light cameras to enforce traffic laws and encourage road safety. These cameras are placed in school zones and other areas where traffic data and citizen complaints indicate a need for speed monitoring. If a vehicle is caught speeding or running a red light by one of these cameras, the owner of the vehicle will receive a citation (or ticket) in the mail.

Vehicle owners have the right to contest traffic camera tickets in Maryland District Court. Information about how to appeal a ticket is included on the violation notice. It is important to act quickly, as there is a time limit on the appeal process. Typically, vehicle owners have 30 days from the date of the citation to initiate the appeal process.

If you were not the driver at the time of the violation, you must provide a signed affidavit stating that you were not operating the vehicle, along with evidence such as the name, address, and driver's license identification number of the person who was driving. This information must be submitted within the designated time frame.

When contesting a ticket in court, you will be presented with photographs or video evidence of the violation. You will have the opportunity to present any information that challenges or mitigates the violation, just as you would for a ticket issued by a police officer. This may include witness statements, photos, or other relevant evidence. You may also want to consult a traffic ticket lawyer to guide you through the process and increase your chances of a favourable outcome.

It is important to note that failing to respond to a traffic camera ticket can result in additional fees and penalties. While these citations do not result in license points or insurance provider notifications, they can lead to financial consequences if not addressed promptly.

Traffic cameras are proven to reduce speeding and red-light running

Baltimore County uses speed cameras to encourage motorists to slow down in school zones where speeding is a problem. The Safe Speed Automated Enforcement Program was authorized by the Maryland General Assembly under Maryland Transportation Article 21-809. The use of speed cameras is supported by the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) as they enhance public safety. Speed cameras are an effective tool to slow down motorists and protect Baltimore County's citizens, especially children.

Red light safety cameras are an effective way to discourage motorists from running red lights. An IIHS study found that cameras reduced the fatal red light running crash rate of large cities by 21% and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14%. Red light safety cameras automatically photograph vehicles that go through red lights, capturing any vehicle that doesn't stop during the red phase.

Speed cameras are similar to red light cameras in that they automatically detect and issue violations for speeding. The placement of speed cameras differs, with red light cameras typically found in heavily populated urban areas, while speed cameras are often used on less populated back roads and residential areas. Speed cameras are installed in school zones in Baltimore, with signage indicating their presence.

Both types of cameras serve as a form of automated traffic enforcement, filling the void left by police who cannot be at every intersection. They help enforce laws and improve road safety, particularly in areas where speeding or red-light running is a concern.

Frequently asked questions