Community Members:
Summer is in full swing, and hopefully you are enjoying a well-earned break after a strange and stressful 18 months. As COVID-19 cases continue to drop and everyone is preparing for the new normal this fall, the University Park Police Department is similarly preparing for the upcoming school year with new traffic safety precautions.
Speeding on roadways can lead to dangerous and often deadly situations. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph. In Maryland, the five-year average crash summary registers 4,551 injuries and 81 fatalities where excessive driver speed was involved. (MDOT, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, Highway Safety Office, Speed Related Crash Summary 2021)
Despite a drop in traffic volume throughout the pandemic, like many places around the country, Maryland witnessed a large increase in excessive speeding. The AAA Mid-Atlantic says speeding citations issued by speed cameras on I-495 grew by 12% in 2020 compared to 2019.
Starting this fall, University Park will implement a secure camera system integrated with violation detection technology in our school zone to decrease instances of speeding and create safer roads in our community. The University Park Police will apply both handheld and portable speed safety programs that will assess driver speed and capture recorded video of speed limit violators. Drivers who receive speed camera citations will be fined $40 for these violations.
Community member safety is our priority. We are committed to enabling safety today to protect the dreamers, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow.
Please review the following FAQs regarding the new school zone speed safety cameras:
When are the school zone speed safety cameras operational?
School zone speed safety cameras will only be captured during school hours and one hour before and after school hours and when the beacons are flashing. Violations will not be captured during summer months.
Will “points” be assessed to my driving record?
A violation for which a civil monetary penalty is imposed pursuant to State Statute, Maryland Transportation Section 21-809 shall be deemed noncriminal, and no points assigned. Drivers who receive speed camera violations are cited for speed violations only.
Who receives the Notice of Violation?
Notices of Violation are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Can I receive violations for other offenses because of the Speed Safety Camera violation?
No. Drivers who receive speed safety camera violations are cited for speed violations only.
How do I pay the fine?
- PAY ONLINE: There is an additional convenience fee for online payments.
- 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.
- PAY BY PHONE: Call 1-866-790-4111. There is an additional convenience fee for phone payments.
- PAY IN-PERSON: You may pay in person at the University Park Police Department. Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your Notice of Violation.
University Park Police Department
6724 Baltimore Avenue
University Park, MD 20782
Hours of Operation:
Monday –Friday between the hours of 8am—5-pm
Call 301-277-0050
The use of school zone speed safety cameras in the Town of University Park was authorized under the State Statute, Maryland Transportation Section 21-809, Enforcement of speed limit in school zones with recorded images and TA 21-809 – Exceeding Speed Limit.
Thank you,
Chief Harvey R. Baker
