Maryland Increases Speed Camera Fines up to $425 Starting Oct. 1

Starting October 1, 2025, Maryland drivers will face increased civil penalties for speeding violations detected by automated speed monitoring systems, according to a law signed by Governor Wes Moore this year. The legislation, House Bill 182, revises the fine structure for these infractions, with penalties escalating based on the degree to which a driver exceeds the posted speed limit.

Under the revised law, drivers exceeding the speed limit by 12 to 15 miles per hour, inclusive, will remain the current civil penalty of $40. Fines see a substantial jump for higher speeds: exceeding the limit by 16 to 19 miles per hour will result in a $70 penalty. Drivers caught speeding 20 to 29 miles per hour over the limit will now face a $120 fine. For those exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 39 miles per hour, the penalty increases to $230. The most significant penalty increase applies to drivers who exceed the speed limit by 40 miles per hour or more, with the fine rising to $425.

Beyond the penalty adjustments, the new legislation mandates the State Highway Administration to establish a workgroup tasked with studying and identifying best practices for the implementation and use of speed monitoring systems, particularly within school zones. The workgroup’s scope will include input from relevant local stakeholders, such as local governments and law enforcement, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues affecting student safety.

The study will involve assessing current policies for speed monitoring systems in school zones, evaluating the appropriateness of the existing radius where these systems are permitted, and examining traffic incident data within these zones. The number of speed monitoring systems currently deployed and their average distance from school property lines will also be analyzed. The workgroup is expected to provide its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2025. The law, as enacted, clarifies that speed monitoring systems are devices that capture images of vehicles traveling at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. The use of these systems is restricted to specific locations and conditions, requiring authorization by local governing bodies and adherence to traffic engineering practices.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Maryland House Bill 182.

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