What are speed cameras?
Speed cameras are photo enforcement devices that, when a vehicle traveling 12 or more miles per hour over the speed limit passes, a camera will automatically record a speeding violation. After a City police officer reviews the results, a citation may then be mailed to the owner of the vehicle as determined by the license plate. Will there be a warning period?
The Rockville City Police Department began the photo speed enforcement program on March 13, 2007. The department issued warning notices through May 1, 2007.
What are the fines for violation?
The fine for each violation is $40. No points will be assigned to a driving record for conviction. Where do I pay my fine?
Citations may be paid online, by mail or in person as noted on each violation notice. How do I pay my ticket online?
Ticket payments may be made online. You will need your ticket number and/or license plate number to access the payment information. Note: There is a $2 convenience fee. Only Visa and MasterCard transactions are accepted.
How may I contest my fine?
Citations can be contested in Maryland District Court. Details are included on each violation notice.
Why does Rockville use speed cameras?
Pedestrian safety is a high priority for the City of Rockville. The City believes cameras have the potential to be effective in reducing the number of speeders on local roads. Speeding is a significant public safety problem both in Montgomery County and around the state. In 2005, 214 people were killed in speeding-related crashes in Maryland, with at least 16 of those deaths occurring in Montgomery County. The speed camera program began in Rockville in 2007.
A recent poll conducted in Montgomery County by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 74 percent of respondents believe that speeding is a problem on residential streets and 59 percent favored the use of speed cameras. Following the success of red light camera photo enforcement, which began in Rockville in November 2002, the Rockville Mayor and Council together with Maryland State District 17 Dels. Kumar Barve and Luiz Simmons as well as Maryland State Sen. Jennie Forehand, led the campaign to encourage the State of Maryland to try speed photo enforcement. Where else will speed cameras be used?
Montgomery County and the municipalities of the City of Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase Village, and Takoma Park are developed speed camera enforcement programs as authorized under a 2006 Maryland law.
How will the money from the fines be used?
Maryland law requires the City to designate money from speed camera fines for public safety programs. In Rockville, these funds may be used to support pedestrian programs including education and outreach and the building of sidewalks or traffic calming devices. How did Rockville select the locations for its speed cameras?
Maryland law requires that speed cameras will be used only in residential and school zones where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. To determine the specific locations for speed cameras in Rockville, the City compiled data to determine the top 50 residential speeding areas in the City. Then, the City worked with a citizens advisory committee to determine the criteria for how roads within the City of Rockville would be prioritized for speed camera use. Those criteria included the road’s proximity to schools, parks and crosswalks, whether there is a presence of a sidewalk and the number of citizen concerns expressed about speeding in a particular area. How will I know if I am in a speed camera zone?
“Photo enforced” signs under speed limit signs on the designated roads will alert drivers that speed cameras may be in use in that area. In addition, signs will be posted at the City limits. Rockville is also publicizing the locations of its cameras through its newsletter, Rockville Reports, Rockville 11 (cable channel 11) and its Web site at www.rockvillemd.gov as well as the news media. Where can I report a roadway with a speeding problem?
You may email problem roadways to photoservice@rockvillemd.gov. Where do I call if I have a question about the speed camera program?
Contact the program's customer service line at 1-866-818-3844. How do I obtain a flag release (VR119) for my vehicle?
Once you have satisfied your citation(s) with the City of Rockville you may obtain a flag release by calling 1-866-818-3844 or by going to one of the following customer service centers:
4040 Blackburn Lane, Suite 200
Burtonsville, MD 20866
Or Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave
Rockville MD 20850
If you are at the MVA you may call the 1-866-818-3844 phone number or Rockville City Photo Enforcement Unit at 240-314-8935 and a copy of the flag release can be faxed over to its office.
MVA will only accept a fax copy from the customer service center or Rockville City Police Department.
How do I know if I am able to Transfer liability of my Speed Citation?
If you fall into one of the following categories you may be eligible. - If you or your company were not operating the vehicle at the time the citation was issued.
- You have corroborating evidence that supports your statement and representations that you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
Where do I send my request to Transfer Liability?
The Individual or company named in the citation must write a letter to the District Court stating that he/she/it was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
Please mail to Rockville City Police Department, Photo Enforcement Unit – Transfer of Liability, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.
What do I need to include in my letter to the courts?
1. The letter must be under oath or affirmation under the penalty of perjury, and must be mailed by certified mail return receipt requested to Rockville City Police Department, Photo Enforcement Unit – Transfer of Liability, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.
Below are examples of Acceptable Transfer of Liability letters. 2. The letter must include corroborating evidence that supports your statement and representations that you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. After the request to Transfer Liability has been completed, please mail affidavit and all attachments to: Rockville City Police Department, Photo Enforcement Unit – Transfer of Liability, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850. Examples of corroborating evidence which have been acceptable to the Court
Work: Provide a certified statement from the employer that establishes that you were working at the time the citation was issued.
Travel: Travel documentation such as itinerary or airline, train or bus tickets showing your name and dates, time and travel destination, or hotel receipts also showing your name, dates and location of occupancy.
Loan Vehicle to Relatives or Friends: Letter or other statement from the person accepting responsibility or evidence that you were not operating the vehicle (such as statements from employer that you were working, traveling, etc.) and the name, address and other identifying information of the person who was operating the vehicle.
Vehicle Being Serviced: Copy of repair or service bills that cover the time of the issuance of the citation. All identifying information of service entity must be provided on bill or invoice.
Medical Disability or Incapacitation: Competent documentation from a medical professional such as a doctor, surgeon and Emergency Room, etc., which substantiates your disability, at the time the citation issued. (Do not disclose any medical diagnoses or health conditions.) Documentation must have medical personnel’s contact information identified.
Lease of vehicle: Copy of lease agreement with all identifying information, including signatures of parties and the effective dates of the lease.
Vehicle Sold: Copy of Bill of Sale.
Military Duty: Copy of military orders or certified statement from commanding officer that person was in military at time citation issued.
Deceased or Incapacity: Death certificate, certified statement from estate administrator, conservator or guardian.
What if my transfer of liability has been denied or I do not know who was driving my vehicle?
If your transfer of liability has been denied for any reason the citation will be reissued to the registered owner and you will be liable for paying the citation in a timely manner. If the citation is not paid additional fines could accrue and the vehicle’s registration could be suspended with the Motor Vehicle Administration.
While the law does not specifically require you to identify who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, your chances of having the Court transfer liability to another person is substantially enhanced if you include the name, address and, if known, the date of birth and driver’s license number of the person operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. | 
