In an effort to promote safe driving habits throughout our communities and particularly in our school zones, the City of Hyattsville is launching the automated speed enforcement program which is designed to reduce driver speeds and make our streets safer for children, motorists and pedestrians.

The City’s new speed enforcement initiative will begin on February 19, 2013.  

During the initial 30-day warning phase, motorists who exceed the speed limit by 12 miles per hour and above while driving through city school zones will receive warning notices in the mail.  After that, citations will be issued to motorists who exceed the posted speed limit by 12 mph and above carrying a $40 fine.

How do you know I was driving the vehicle when it was speeding?
We do not. The law requires for the violation notice to be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. The monitoring system does not capture an image of the driver of the vehicle.

I have heard there is no way to fight these tickets. Is this true?
No. When you receive the violation notice, there are instructions for how to pay the citation or request a court date in the District Court. If you request a court date, a police officer will be present to show the evidence on which the citation was based.

What happens to my license and insurance if I pay the ticket or I am found guilty in court?
Speeding violations captured by speed monitoring systems are civil violations. There is no impact on your license status, no points assessed, and no insurance impact.

What is the maximum fine?
The maximum fine is $40.00, and this is stated on the violation notice. However if you do choose to stand trial in the District court and either plead guilty or are found guilty, the court may impose an additional court cost of $22.50.

Why do we need speed monitoring systems?
Speeding is a serious problem everywhere. It seems we are all in a hurry. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred as a result of speeding. The safety of children in school zones, and our citizens in general, are goals on which all can agree.

Isn’t this just a mechanism to generate more money?
This is not a revenue driven program. While violators will be fined and revenue will be generated, the program is for safety. Safe kids, safe streets, and a safe motoring public are our goals.

There is one easy way to defeat speed cameras…don’t speed. The program will be evaluated continuously and adjustments made as necessary and/or appropriate. Success will actually be measured in a reduction in violations, reductions in average speeds, and consequently a reduction in revenue!

Photo credit: Amanda BH Slater

High speed scanning LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is used to track vehicles as they pass through the detection zone.

The system measures distance and angle of LIDAR at each position of the scan and tracks moving vehicles to determine vehicle speed in each respective lane.

Violating vehicles are detected and photo evidence is captured.

Download a copy of this information here.

The City plans to begin the program with 5 portable camera units. The program is projected to be in full operation by March 2013.

The portable camera units will be rotated across several school zones in the City of Hyattsville.

A list of locations where the camera units may be deployed is below:

3700 block of East West Highway (Westbound)
3700 block of East West Highway (Eastbound)
7000 block of Adelphi Road (Southbound)
5900 block of Ager Road (Southbound)
5900 block of Ager Road (Northbound)