Safe Speed Program - More Questions and Answers

When did this law go into effect?

The State law authorizing automated speed enforcement systems in school zones became effective October 1, 2009.

How are sites selected?

A variety of factors are used to determine the automated speed enforcement deployment locations, including:

• Location of school zone (e.g., must be on a street/road with a speed limit of less than 45 mph, spreading out sites to achieve maximum effect, etc.).
• Safety Data (e.g. children exposure/risk, congestion, crash history, violation history, etc.).
• Temporary Traffic Control Setup (e.g., number of lanes, time of day, duration of school, etc.

What is the fine?

Maryland legislation has set the civil penalty at $40.

Where to revenues from the fines go?

Revenue from the fines will be used to cover the costs incurred by the Bowie Police Department in implementing and administering the City of Bowie Safe Speed Program. 

For more specific financial questions, contact the Bowie Police Department at 301-575-2480.

Will points be assessed against my license for a citation from the City of Bowie Safe Speed Program?

No.  Points will not be assessed against your driver’s license.

School was not taking place in the school zone when I got my citation.  Can you void my citation?

No. Citations may be issued regardless of whether children are present in the school zone. School zone speed limits are established in the interest of your safety and that of school children.  Whether or not school is taking place, it is imperative that you obey the speed limit in the school zone. 

I think a speed camera took a photo of my vehicle.  How long will it take to get the citation in the mail?

For vehicles registered in Maryland, citations will be mailed no later than 14 days after the violation occurs.  For vehicles registered in another state, citations will be mailed no later than 30 days after the violation occurs.

The registered owner of the vehicle noted in the citation is deceased.  What can I do about the outstanding citations that were issued to their vehicle?

Citations assigned to the vehicle of a now deceased registered owner may be dismissed upon receipt of the following documentation: 

• For violations issued prior to the date of death:  A copy of the death certificate of the registered owner.
• For violations issued after the date of death: A copy of plate cancellation receipt from MVA.

The individual will be notified as to the status of the citations in question.

Where can I report roadways with speeding problems?

Please contact the City of Bowie Police Department at the number below or visit the Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit page on the City website to send an email directly to the officers in charge of traffic safety.

My registration has been flagged because of non-payment of a citation. How do I have the flag removed?

If there was no citation error, you must:

• Pay the total amount due on all citations and pay the MVA administrative flag fee of $30.
• Obtain a VR119 flag release form (“Traffic Control/Parking Fine Receipt”) from the Bowie Police Department, 2614 Kenhill Drive Bowie, MD 20715.
• Provide to MVA a copy of the VR119 form, which informs them to release the registration flag.

The citizen will have to pay an additional $30 reinstatement fee to MVA upon receipt of their new registration.

My registration was flagged in error.  Will I still have to pay the flag fee and reinstatement fee?

If the citation or flag fee was a result of program error, the citizen does not have to pay the Flag fee or reinstatement fee.

With proof from the citizen, the camera vendor's customer service department will notify the Bowie Police Department that a plate was flagged in error.  If the Police Department agrees that error was made, then they will give approval to have the flag fee waived.  The VR119 form will be forwarded to the MVA and the flagging mark will be removed. (Currently no letter is sent to citizen.)

Program Overview
Paying Citations
Appealing Citations, Disputes, etc.
How the Cameras Operate