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Baltimore City speed cameras will start mailing warning letters to violators Monday

10 units are in seven school zones across the city
Posted at 5:47 PM, Jun 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-23 18:30:19-04

You won't be pulled over if you're caught breaking this law, but come Monday, you could be busted by another flashing light.

Starting at 6 a.m. June 26, mobile speed cameras will snap a picture of your license plate if you're driving at least 12 miles per hour over the posted limit.

Even though the system will be online, for the first 30 days, violators will get a warning in the mail instead of a ticket docking you $40.

"This warning notice will plainly state what your speed was, what the speed limit is,” said Robert Liberati, Director of the City Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System. “It will say it's a warning and give you an opportunity to change your driving habits before you get a fine."

Ten portable units are in place in seven school zones across the city:

  • Frederick Douglass High School
  • Vanguard Collegiate Middle School
  • Holy Angels Catholic School
  • Edmondson Westside High School
  • Glenmount Elementary/Middle School
  • Baltimore Polytechnic Institute/Western High School
  • Gwynns Falls Elementary School

Each location was evaluated and chosen to cut back on crashes, and make the area safer for folks walking, biking or driving.

"We're really going after those people that aren't paying attention or are aggressively driving," Liberati said.

Officials say they're not trying to hide these automated enforcement areas.  Drivers will also notice some new road signs posted near the portable cameras, alerting people to the school zone, the speed limit and the fact that its photo enforced.

The school zone speed cams will be active Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The cameras use tracking radar to measure how fast you speed past the unit.  If a violation is recorded, it will be reviewed by two different people before a citation goes out to the registered owner.

These first ten units are mobile and most likely temporary.  However, the city can install fixed, permanent cameras if there is a need.

"People learn, they'll slow down, and then when they slow down we're gonna move the equipment to areas that need that type of enforcement," said Liberati.

Keeping drivers on their toes, and money coming into the city.

Along with speed monitoring, the program will eventually include red light cameras and commercial vehicle height cameras.  Officials expect to make nearly $8-million from fines through the system in the next fiscal year.