Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews House Bill 182‑driven changes to speed‑camera fines; staff to draft code amendment
Summary
Staff briefed the council on proposed changes to city code to implement Maryland House Bill 182’s tiered civil penalties for automatic speed enforcement and discussed whether to retain a $5 early‑payment discount.
The Mayor and City Council reviewed a staff recommendation Oct. 21 to amend city code (Sec. 60‑17) to implement Maryland House Bill 182, which creates a tiered civil‑penalty structure for automatic speed‑enforcement citations based on the amount motorists exceed posted speed limits.
Officer Masdeep Prateau (speed‑camera program lead) described the state law’s tiered approach and noted that speed‑camera citations are civil penalties (no points against driver records) and that cameras are deployed in school zones. Under the city’s current practice, cameras issue citations only when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed by 12 mph; fines were previously a flat $40. The draft ordinance would adopt the state’s graduated penalty tiers tied to speed over the limit.
Councilmembers asked staff about the existing $5 early‑payment discount (7 days) and whether that discount remains an effective incentive because vendors handle citation processing and mailing delays may prevent timely discount eligibility. Staff said they would consult with the city attorney and vendor and return with a draft ordinance; one council member suggested removing the $5 discount if operationally it does not function as intended.
No final ordinance was adopted Oct. 21; staff said a formal code amendment will be drafted and returned to council for adoption.
