About

HCPD is authorized by the Howard County Council to use mobile speed camera systems in school zones. Mobile systems do not require roadway improvements or roadway construction, resulting in no inconvenience to the public. Only members of the police department certified to operate the camera system and equipment will staff the mobile systems. See below to pay a fine or learn more about the program.

Howard County school zones | School Zone Speed Camera Report to the County Council (March 2023)

Speed camera

Speed camera enforcement locations

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Week of November 25, 2024

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7200 blk Oakland Mills Rd

Aladdin Dr

Centennial Ln @ Culverene Rd

Columbia Rd @ Smokey Wreath Way

Cradlerock Way @ Cradlerock Farm Ct

Fredrick Rd @ Lisbon Elementary School

Ilchester Rd @ Beechwood Rd

Old Annapolis Rd @ Whitworth Way

Ridgley’s Run Rd

Rogers Ave

Tamar Dr

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Week of December 2, 2024

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6000 blk Old Washington Rd

9100 blk Northfield Rd

Centennial Ln @ Breconshire Rd

Freetown Rd @ Atholton High School

Ilchester Rd @ Wharff Lane

Kilimanjaro Rd

MD Rt 216 @ School Complex

MD Rt 97 @ Glenwood Middle School

Old Columbia Rd near Riverwood Dr

Old Frederick Rd @ Marriotts Ridge High School

Triadelphia Rd @ Folly Quarter Middle

Vollmerhausenm Rd @ Bethel Christian Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where are the speed cameras located?

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Howard County has 70 public schools and more than 30 private schools. Any roadway that has been posted as a school zone is eligible for enforcement.

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How is a school zone defined?

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Maryland law defines a school zone as within a half-mile radius of any school where either the State Highway Administration or the local authority (Howard County Department of Public Works, Traffic Engineering) may establish a school zone and set maximum speed limits applicable in the school zone. School zones must be established by placing signs designating the school zone and signs that designate the maximum speed limit applicable in the school zone. Howard County is only conducting speed camera enforcement on roadways that either front the school or border school property or roadways along student walking routes that have been designated as school zones. All of our locations are posted with signs designating them as school zones, and all of them have a sign posted indicating that photo enforcement is used on the roadway.

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How many speed cameras are in use in Howard County?

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Our program utilizes seven Speed Detection Systems. One is a mobile system deployed within a van and six are PCUs (Portable Camera Units) housed in cabinets bolted to a concrete pad.  The program is authorized to expand to a maximum number of eight systems.

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When can enforcement take place?

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By statute, enforcement can take place Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enforcement will take place on specific roadways, at specific times, based on the data collected from the department’s speed studies, as well as complaints the department continues to receive from a variety of sources.

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How does the speed camera work?

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The technology we are using is based upon LASER technology. The imaging system creates a three dimensional representation of each vehicle on the roadway and tracks that vehicle for an extended period of time. At the end of the tracking period, the system determines the average speed of the vehicle during the tracking period. The system monitors traffic going away from the mobile system and takes photographs of the rear of the vehicle. When the vehicle is traveling 12 MPH or greater over the posted speed limit, two separate photographs are taken to show the progression of the vehicle. A vehicle identifier box is embedded in the image at the time the photograph is taken.

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Where is the citation sent? How long after the violation is it sent?

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The citation is mailed to the address of the vehicle’s registered owner that is listed by the MVA. The citation is required by law to be mailed within 14 days of the violation.

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What information will be displayed on the citation?

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The citation will include three photographs showing the vehicle committing the violation and the vehicle’s tag number. Those photographs will include a data bar that contains the date, time, and location of the violation; violation number; speed limit; vehicle speed; and equipment number. The citation will also include instructions for paying the fine or for requesting a court date. It will contain the signature of the police officer who certified the citation by reviewing the images and determined that the violation took place. The citation also contains a link to a website where you can view/pay the citation online.

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Who is responsible for paying the citation?

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The citation is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, similar to a parking ticket. The registered owner is the responsible party who must ensure the fine is paid or request a court date.

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What are the fines imposed for a speed camera violation?

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By law, the fine is $40. You have three options to pay the fine.

  • Pay onlineView/pay the citation online. There is a convenience fee. Major credit cards are accepted.
  • Mail a check: You may also mail a check for the amount due to the Howard County Speed Camera Program, P.O. Box 17022, Baltimore, MD, 21297-1022. Checks should be made payable to the Howard County Director of Finance.
  • Pay in person: Go in person to the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The finance office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Methods of payment are cash, check made out to Howard County Director of Finance or Discover Card (convenience fee added). A drop box is also available in front of the George Howard Building for payments deposited after hours.
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Will this violation go on my driving record? Are there points assessed? What about my insurance rates?

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Speed camera citations are civil citations that do not carry points. They are similar to parking citations and are not reflected on your driving record. Insurance companies are not allowed to access speed camera violation information.

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How can I contact the Howard County speed camera program?

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The office phone number is 410-313-5770, and the fax is 410-313-5756.

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