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Council keeps $40 base but raises upper tiers for automated speed‑camera fines
Summary
Bowie adopted Ordinance O‑12‑25 to implement higher maximum fines in state law for high‑level speed violations detected by monitoring systems. The $40 base fine for 12–15 mph over the limit remains; top tier for 40+ mph over set at $425. Council said program aims to improve public safety rather than raise revenue.
The City Council on Oct. 25 adopted Ordinance O‑12‑25 to amend Bowie City Code chapter 14 (motor vehicles and traffic) and adjust maximum fines for speed‑monitoring systems following recent state legislation that raised allowable fines.
Staff explained the new tiered fines: $40 for 12–15 mph over the limit (unchanged), $70 for 16–19 mph over, $120 for 20–29 mph over, $230 for 30–39 mph over, and $425 for 40 mph or more over. The ordinance implements the new state‑authorized maximums; the state establishes the authority, but municipalities set local fines within the new caps.
The council held a public hearing (no speakers signed up) and discussed enforcement and the program’s public‑safety goals. Councilmembers said most violations fall into the lowest tier and that the camera program has strong public demand. Council moved and unanimously adopted the ordinance.
Why it matters: The change increases maximum penalties only for the higher tiers of violations, aligning Bowie with state law while keeping the lower‑tier fine unchanged; council members framed the program as a traffic‑safety tool.
Provenance (transcript excerpts): Staff presentation of updated fines (transcript block starting ~2392.04). Public hearing: no speakers signed up (transcript ~2427.52). Motion and unanimous adoption (transcript block starting ~2704.07).
