In an effort to increase driver compliance with the posted school zone speed limits in the City, Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen announced the start date of the City’s Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Program.

“I have heard repeatedly from parents worried about the safety of their children walking to school, and they have asked the City to take action,” Mayor Cohen said. “Well-posted speed camera zones are proven to deter speeding and increase pedestrian safety. That’s what this is all about.”

These two school zones have been chosen as the first active locations and the City anticipates implementing automated speed enforcement equipment by March 1:

Mills Parole Elementary

From the 100 though the 500 block of Chinquapin Round Road

From the 1900 through the 2000 block of Forest Drive

From the 1800 through the 1900 block of Drew Street

Germantown Elementary

From the 1200 through the 1600 block of Cedar Park Road

From the 200 through the 300 block of Windell Avenue

From the 1600 through the 1800 block of Poplar Avenue

The Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code authorizes municipalities to establish school zones and utilize speed monitoring systems to enforce posted limits. Maryland law further requires that revenue derived from such programs be utilized for public safety programs and improving pedestrian safety.

The following school zones have been chosen as the next active locations and the City anticipates implementing automated speed enforcement equipment during March and April:

Tyler Heights Elementary

At Janwall Street, from Tyler Avenue to Woods Drive

The Unit block of Bricin Street

From the 900 through the 1000 Forest Hills Avenue

Annapolis Middle School

From the 1300 through the 1800 block of Forest Drive

Annapolis Elementary School

Along the 100 block of Green Street

St. Mary’s

From the 001 through the 200 block of Duke of Gloucester Street

Georgetown East

From the 001 through the 200 block of Victor Pkwy

From the 001 through the 100 block of Cypress Road

From the 001 through the 200 block of Dogwood Road

From the 001 through the 200 block of Alder Road

Kneseth Israel

From the 001 through the 300 block of Hilltop Lane

From the 1000 through the 1100 S block of Spa Road

West Annapolis Elementary

From the 400 through the 700 block of Melvin Avenue

From the 400 through the-600 block of Monterey Avenue

At the 100 block of Tucker

From the 100 through the 200 block of Annapolis Street

Eastport Elementary

From the 300 through the 400 block of Sixth Street

From the 400 through the 500 block of Chesapeake Avenue

From the 400 through the 500 block of Severn Avenue

“We conducted several traffic studies before moving forward with the program, and the results confirmed there is a verifiable need for enforcement,” Police Chief Michael Pristoop said. “Over the past few years the Police Department has focused on increasing education and enforcement supporting pedestrian safety. The use of automated enforcement is another tool to ensure pedestrian safety, particularly as it relates to school age children around Annapolis schools.”

The City Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of automated speed enforcement within City limits. According to the Public Safety Committee Chair and Ward Four Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson, “It is not our intention to trap drivers. The goal is to make our streets safer. We want residents to be aware and get them to slow down; lives depend on it.”

The speed enforcement equipment uses a radar camera programmed to capture a series of photographs of vehicles exceeding the posted limit by more than 12 mph during the weekday hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. only. These digital images will be used to identify the vehicle’s registered owner and will appear on the citation which carries a $40 fine. The vehicle’s recorded speed and the time of the violation will also be noted on the violation, which is being treated as a civil rather than criminal penalty. As a result, no license “points” will be assigned and insurance providers are not notified of the citation.

To allow drivers who live, work or travel through the area time to become more familiar with the program, warning notices will be issued to violators for the first 30 days beginning March 1. Once the grace period concludes, violators will receive a $40 citation which may be contested in Maryland District Court. Detailed instructions on how to pay the citation or request a Court date are included on the violation notice.

In addition to the warning period, information regarding the program will be available on the Police Department page of the Annapolis website www.annapolis.gov. Signs will also be posted advising drivers that camera enforcement is being utilized.

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