OT: I-95 Camera Ticket (MD)

[S_Janowski]

I was traveling on I95 in October at night (8pm) and while passing through Maryland a giant flash appeared behind me.

I was going above the speed limit but nothing crazy and not nearly as fast as I go on the NJTPK so I didn’t think anything of it. I also never heard of speed cameras on I95.

Today I received a citation in the mail ($80) for going at least 12 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone. Of course it clocked me going exactly 12 mph over (77 mph).

Although it was a construction zone, there was zero construction occurring. I have to imagine half of the cars passing through were getting the same citation.

Anyway - I’m assuming there’s no point in requesting a court date and disputing the citation. If I went this route I’m expecting to wait in line with everyone who had the same citation, only to be required to pay the full amount.

Anyone have experience with this? Do I just pay it and move on?

 

[newell138]

I was traveling on I95 in October at night (8pm) and while passing through Maryland a giant flash appeared behind me.

I was going above the speed limit but nothing crazy and not nearly as fast as I go on the NJTPK so I didn’t think anything of it. I also never heard of speed cameras on I95.

Today I received a citation in the mail ($80) for going at least 12 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone. Of course it clocked me going exactly 12 mph over (77 mph).

Although it was a construction zone, there was zero construction occurring. I have to imagine half of the cars passing through were getting the same citation.

Anyway - I’m assuming there’s no point in requesting a court date and disputing the citation. If I went this route I’m expecting to wait in line with everyone who had the same citation, only to be required to pay the full amount.

Anyone have experience with this? Do I just pay it and move on?

I got one in Chestertown MD a few years back. Same story almost. Just paid it. Was not worth trying to fight it

 

[iReC89]

I saw a flash like that northbound a few months ago but I wasn’t speeding - it was a guy passing me at the exact moment of the flash. I was worried the camera would see my car blocking a view of his and ticket me but never got anything.

 

[hrdcorhays]

The speed cameras in Maryland (and DC) are a reason why I would never consider moving there. They are everywhere. I got burned by one in DC once and I think it was $150.

 

[Knight Shift]

I got one in Chestertown MD a few years back. Same story almost. Just paid it. Was not worth trying to fight it

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

 

[S_Janowski]

The speed cameras in Maryland (and DC) are a reason why I would never consider moving there. They are everywhere. I got burned by one in DC once and I think it was $150.

Yea I’m really careful in DC.

I had no idea they had cameras on I95.

Complete BS.

 

[fsg2]

Sounds almost as bad as heli tickets. Don't even have a clue those happened until they show up in the mail.

Assuming it's not going to force you over point limit to surrender your license or pay out the nose through insurance, I'd definitely just send that payment in.

 

[fsg2]

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

I remember out-of-state speeding tix used to be a flat two points regardless of what they were. That was 20 years ago, though, maybe it's changed since.

 

[S_Janowski]

Sounds almost as bad as heli tickets. Don't even have a clue those happened until they show up in the mail.

Assuming it's not going to force you over point limit to surrender your license or pay out the nose through insurance, I'd definitely just send that payment in.

I always thought those “speed monitored by aircraft” signs were fake news lol.

 

[Knight Shift]

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

I remember out-of-state speeding tix used to be a flat two points regardless of what they were. That was 20 years ago, though, maybe it's changed since.

Found this (from a purported attorney):

Wow, 12 mph is the trigger

First, understand that speed camera tickets do not result in points, and may not be used by insurance companies to raise your insurance premium. They are issued to the registered car owner only, as it is not possible to know who the driver was since no police officer pulled the car over and identified the driver. There is no speed trap defense for these types of tickets. They are stationary cameras that are motion activated by their own radar. They only result in a citation if your vehicle exceeds 11 mph over the posted speed limit (in other words, 12 mph and above). If you do not pay, there is no consequence to your driver's license. The unpaid fine is assessed against you personally and may be enforced by suspension of the vehicle registration, but since you are out of state, Maryland cannot suspend the vehicle registration on account of nonpayment. If unpaid after 90 days, the debt is referred to the Mryland Central Collection Unit and may be reported on your credit report, as well as pursued like any other unpaid civil debt. However, if you are ever pulled over in Maryland in the future, or your vehicle's plates run by police, your vehicle could get impounded for nonayment. That would be inconvenient at the very least, upend your day and travel plans, and possibly result in enormous towing and storage fees on top of the fines and late fees to pay in order to get your car back. Easier to "pay the two dollars," as the old comedy routine goes. While you can request separate trials on each ticket, and take two days off of work and travel back to court, unless you are able to demonstrate a defect in the radar for the camera on the day the ticket was issued, or you are prepared to name another person and their address who was actually the driver other than you, then there is not much of a defense to these tickets. Maybe the judge would reduce the $40 fine, but when you request a trial, court costs are required to be imposed and they add up to $35 or so. Doesn't seem worth all the trouble for citations that have no impact on your driver's license or insurance rates.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/do-i-have-to-pay-an-out-of-state-camera-speeding-t-5312333.html#qa-answer-count-header

 

[fsg2]

I always thought those “speed monitored by aircraft” signs were fake news lol.

Ha, I would have thought the same. Didn't even see any signs, just got word of the ticket in the mail.

 

[S_Janowski]

Found this (from a purported attorney):

Wow, 12 mph is the trigger

First, understand that speed camera tickets do not result in points, and may not be used by insurance companies to raise your insurance premium. They are issued to the registered car owner only, as it is not possible to know who the driver was since no police officer pulled the car over and identified the driver. There is no speed trap defense for these types of tickets. They are stationary cameras that are motion activated by their own radar. They only result in a citation if your vehicle exceeds 11 mph over the posted speed limit (in other words, 12 mph and above). If you do not pay, there is no consequence to your driver's license. The unpaid fine is assessed against you personally and may be enforced by suspension of the vehicle registration, but since you are out of state, Maryland cannot suspend the vehicle registration on account of nonpayment. If unpaid after 90 days, the debt is referred to the Mryland Central Collection Unit and may be reported on your credit report, as well as pursued like any other unpaid civil debt. However, if you are ever pulled over in Maryland in the future, or your vehicle's plates run by police, your vehicle could get impounded for nonayment. That would be inconvenient at the very least, upend your day and travel plans, and possibly result in enormous towing and storage fees on top of the fines and late fees to pay in order to get your car back. Easier to "pay the two dollars," as the old comedy routine goes. While you can request separate trials on each ticket, and take two days off of work and travel back to court, unless you are able to demonstrate a defect in the radar for the camera on the day the ticket was issued, or you are prepared to name another person and their address who was actually the driver other than you, then there is not much of a defense to these tickets. Maybe the judge would reduce the $40 fine, but when you request a trial, court costs are required to be imposed and they add up to $35 or so. Doesn't seem worth all the trouble for citations that have no impact on your driver's license or insurance rates.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/do-i-have-to-pay-an-out-of-state-camera-speeding-t-5312333.html#qa-answer-count-header

Very helpful.

Can’t believe I got clocked at exactly 12 mph over.

I thought it was being a good driver that night.

People were flying by me left and right.

 

[Knight Shift]

Very helpful.

Can’t believe I got clocked at exactly 12 mph over.

I thought it was being a good driver that night.

People were flying by me left and right.

Sucks to be you on that night. Thanks for the heads up, will not go 10 mph over the limit in Maryland.

Many years ago, a camera in a far away state "caught" someone in our family speeding in a rental car. Wouldn't you know it, most of the rental car companies don't provide the driver's name and info to the camera company, but the one this person used DID. DOH! Anyway, after much research, it was determined that unless they got pulled over in that particular state again by an actual police officer, the ticket would have no effect on their NJ license. They did not pay and never suffered any consequences.

In you situation, would probably pay the ticket, but again, how do they prove it was YOU driving. In the case of the family member, the camera was positioned on an overpass, and got a face shot of the driver. Remember reading some funny stories of people driving by in rental cars wearing gorilla masks and flipping off the speed cameras. That state did away with the speed cameras. Major cash grab.

 

[BigRnj]

I got a $275 speeding ticket for driving 107 kph in a 100 kph zone in Melbourne Australia a few years ago. That’s only 4.5 mph over the limit … freaking money grab. I noticed the strobe/flash and other traffic (locals that knew the ropes) briefly slow down. So I knew they got me but shit I can walk faster then the speed limit difference.

I got the ticket in the mail via my rental car company a week or so later. I had to pay since each time you enter Oz requires a visa and you don’t want unpaid fines hanging over your head when you apply. I drove a bit slower in Sydney the next trip. Damn Aussies 😉

 

[DJ Spanky]

Major cash grab.

That's exactly what it is. Many of these are operated by a private company which takes a slice of the fine. Back in 2012/2013 they were experimenting with red light cameras run by a private outfit - had a couple here in town.They eventually did away with them.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

beware DC's borders.. they love ticket revenue

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I always thought those “speed monitored by aircraft” signs were fake news lol.

You see white paint line across the roadway occasionally? That's how they'd time you. Spotter in aircraft used a stopwatch.. pair of painted lines, a certain distance between lines... calculated MPH.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

That's exactly what it is. Many of these are operated by a private company which takes a slice of the fine. Back in 2012/2013 they were experimenting with red light cameras run by a private outfit - had a couple here in town.They eventually did away with them.

I got a ticket from them on Rt 1 in Colonia.. allegedly ran a red light.. realized it was BS but paid it. Technically my back bumper was in intersection when it turned red.. it was a real short yellow.. I think they'd mess with the intervals to boost revenues. Glad they axed it.. but it cost me.. I don't know.. $150?

 

[MrsScrew]

I got one in Chestertown MD a few years back. Same story almost. Just paid it. Was not worth trying to fight it

Hmmm...I got one in Chester town, MD too. Some back road I would never have expected it on. Very clear picture of my Rutgers license plate too.

 

[RUnTeX]

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

There are no points. There's no way for them to know who the driver/operator of the vehicle is at the time of the violation/photo so there's no way to trace that back to a specific person with a license and insurance. It's just linked to the license plate that the camera took a photo of and whoever the registered owner of said vehicle is.

So no points on either your license or your insurance driving history. It's basically just a money grab under the guise of construction workzone safety. This enforcement program has been used on I-95 in Maryland for about 15+/- years now. An entire decade long project of the EZ Pass lanes north of Baltimore got built while they had this is effect across a several mile stretch of the interstate.

The main takeaway is that you are allowed a 12mph grace threshold above the 55mph posted limit in construction zones. So you just need to remember to slow down to 67 or less as you're passing the camera apparatus mounted on the hood of the SUV parked on the shoulder. The giveaway is that it's usually parked within a couple hundred feet after the electronic speed limit sign and behind/protected by a jersey barrier, just beyond a port-a-john that partly blocks it from view. But you start to recognize it easily oncw you see it and how it's always set up. Sometimes no SUV is parked so no issue if you're above the +12mph threshold. They've just relocated the SUV to another spot, often the other side of the highway going in the other direction.

 

[ashokan]

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Maryland is full of speed traps and red light camera's

 

[fg7321]

Can I get one of these on my street? Assholes speed on it as its a cut through street that we didn't realize when we bought the home 36 years ago

 

[ru66]

Maryland is so bad about this, they seem to hide them ,no warnings. NY is bad but MD horrible except that parts of NY will soon lower speed limits to 20 mph in places to give more tickets.

 

[Leonard23]

Major Amount of Tickets Issued From Speeding Cameras on 90

New York State Thruway issued more than 130,000 tickets.

wyrk.com

 

[krup]

Maryland is so bad about this, they seem to hide them ,no warnings. NY is bad but MD horrible except that parts of NY will soon lower speed limits to 20 mph in places to give more tickets.

My memory long before all of these technology advances (going back 30-40 years) is that when you were driving from the northeast to Florida, the state you tried to be in your best behavior in was Maryland because they always devoted the most resources to catching (and generating revenue from) the speeders just passing through their state.

 

[Zak57]

They've had those cameras forever on 95 heading down to Baltimore/DC. They're always behind the porta-potties as well.

 

[MGSA99]

I remember when people were accusing EZ Pass in NJ of timing you between toll booths on the Parkway to catch you speeding.

 

[newell138]

Hmmm...I got one in Chester town, MD too. Some back road I would never have expected it on. Very clear picture of my Rutgers license plate too.

LOL, yep, its on that back road right before you get into town, that was 2012 I think when our daughters were roommates, which i still find hard to believe.

 

[RUAldo]

Every time I am in MD for lacrosse tournaments I end up getting some BS camera tickets. I’d love to fight them but not worth the hassle.

 

[newell138]

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

at the time Geico had forgiveness so no

 

[RU848789]

Found this (from a purported attorney):

Wow, 12 mph is the trigger

First, understand that speed camera tickets do not result in points, and may not be used by insurance companies to raise your insurance premium. They are issued to the registered car owner only, as it is not possible to know who the driver was since no police officer pulled the car over and identified the driver. There is no speed trap defense for these types of tickets. They are stationary cameras that are motion activated by their own radar. They only result in a citation if your vehicle exceeds 11 mph over the posted speed limit (in other words, 12 mph and above). If you do not pay, there is no consequence to your driver's license. The unpaid fine is assessed against you personally and may be enforced by suspension of the vehicle registration, but since you are out of state, Maryland cannot suspend the vehicle registration on account of nonpayment. If unpaid after 90 days, the debt is referred to the Mryland Central Collection Unit and may be reported on your credit report, as well as pursued like any other unpaid civil debt. However, if you are ever pulled over in Maryland in the future, or your vehicle's plates run by police, your vehicle could get impounded for nonayment. That would be inconvenient at the very least, upend your day and travel plans, and possibly result in enormous towing and storage fees on top of the fines and late fees to pay in order to get your car back. Easier to "pay the two dollars," as the old comedy routine goes. While you can request separate trials on each ticket, and take two days off of work and travel back to court, unless you are able to demonstrate a defect in the radar for the camera on the day the ticket was issued, or you are prepared to name another person and their address who was actually the driver other than you, then there is not much of a defense to these tickets. Maybe the judge would reduce the $40 fine, but when you request a trial, court costs are required to be imposed and they add up to $35 or so. Doesn't seem worth all the trouble for citations that have no impact on your driver's license or insurance rates.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/do-i-have-to-pay-an-out-of-state-camera-speeding-t-5312333.html#qa-answer-count-header

Saw that also, but as you said, it's from an attorney and they're not beyond scaring people into - gasp! - hiring attorneys to get out of tickets. The more interesting thing to me is that the MD Safe Zones FAQ says nothing about vehicle impoundment for failure to pay (the only "penalty" they mention is MD drivers not being able to renew their registrations) and I found a couple of Reddit threads where some folks said they didn't pay MD speed camera tickets and nothing happened (they are civil not criminal tickets). Links below.

I had gotten one of these in MD several years ago south of Baltimore and just paid it and saw the light flash a few days ago coming back from a short visit to DC (where I was careful, having also gotten a camera speeding ticket there several years ago) - haven't received the ticket yet, but assume it's on its way. I might just "do the experiment" and not pay this one, especially since the fine recently went from $40 to $80.

https://safezones.maryland.gov/ase/pages/faqs.aspx?PageId=6

 

[Knight Shift]

Saw that also, but as you said, it's from an attorney and they're not beyond scaring people into - gasp! - hiring attorneys to get out of tickets. The more interesting thing to me is that the MD Safe Zones FAQ says nothing about vehicle impoundment for failure to pay (the only "penalty" they mention is MD drivers not being able to renew their registrations) and I found a couple of Reddit threads where some folks said they didn't pay MD speed camera tickets and nothing happened (they are civil not criminal tickets). Links below.

I had gotten one of these in MD several years ago south of Baltimore and just paid it and saw the light flash a few days ago coming back from a short visit to DC (where I was careful, having also gotten a camera speeding ticket there several years ago) - haven't received the ticket yet, but assume it's on its way. I might just "do the experiment" and not pay this one, especially since the fine recently went from $40 to $80.

https://safezones.maryland.gov/ase/pages/faqs.aspx?PageId=6

View embedded media

Similar to the experience someone had in Arizona with a rental car. The real problem for them is they cannot prove who was driving (unless the camera captures the driver's face), and without getting into all the particulars of the legal aspects, how can they impound someone's car when someone else was driving the car and speeding (assuming someone else was driving)? Seems like a stretch.

This comment seems like common sense:

"They sent another reminder letter but I ignored that too. So far nothing bad has happened. My research indicated theres nothing they can legally do. They can't prove it was me driving and they can't even prove I received notice of a citation because it was not sent certified mail."

Also, NJ has introduced legislation to make the mailing of out of state tickets to NJ drivers illegal. This was done several times, but don't think the bills went anywhere.

O’Scanlon proposes law to make it illegal to send NJ drivers out-of-state tickets

The bill would put a stop to red light cameras targeting New Jersey drivers out of state.

newjersey.news12.com

N.J. drivers could be spared speeding and red-light camera fines from other states

It would prohibit the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission from sharing a New Jersey driver’s personal information for the purposes of issuing a ticket.

www.nj.com

 

[beaced]

I was traveling on I95 in October at night (8pm) and while passing through Maryland a giant flash appeared behind me.

I was going above the speed limit but nothing crazy and not nearly as fast as I go on the NJTPK so I didn’t think anything of it. I also never heard of speed cameras on I95.

Today I received a citation in the mail ($80) for going at least 12 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone. Of course it clocked me going exactly 12 mph over (77 mph).

Although it was a construction zone, there was zero construction occurring. I have to imagine half of the cars passing through were getting the same citation.

Anyway - I’m assuming there’s no point in requesting a court date and disputing the citation. If I went this route I’m expecting to wait in line with everyone who had the same citation, only to be required to pay the full amount.

Anyone have experience with this? Do I just pay it and move on?

An analogy.When I was in the Army Air Corps in 1945 I was given a gig slip by a Commisionrd officer.










for eating a candy bar in class.I was in training to become a bombadier.I went to the commissioned officer in charge of us and disputed the claim.I said that I wasn't eating in class,as per the gig slip ,but rather in the hall between classes.The Captain asked me if the gig slip was given to me by a Cadet officer or a commissioned officer.I said that it was a commissioned officer.I was told guilty as charged and the gig was put on my record. X number of gigs and you walked an hour in full equipment On your free time.Point of story is that you can not fight city hall.

 

[Unionst]

There may not be an insurance surcharge in NJ for this but if your credit score is affected by not paying the fine then a rate increase probably sneaks into your premium because most carriers use credit score in some fashion to determine your premium.

 

[e5fdny]

Both of my boys went to school in DC. We have all gotten camera speeding tickets.

The red light ones are just as prevalent.

The last two my younger son got I disputed since the photos clearly showed:

- car was at a complete stop
- all taillights were illuminated (including the anti-collision light on the back window)
- car was clearly behind the crosswalk and stop sign in question
- speed was listed as “0.0 MPH”, so a complete stop

They would keep saying “you didn’t provide the desired information” in their replies, so I would keep sending it back with their photos. They finally gave up.

 

[toby83]

Remember when we had them here, kept getting ticket for rolling right turn through red
Got out of cple, paid one I think

Remember laughing when story came out guy beat the hell out of one of them with a bat and destroyed it in middle of night

 

[MrsScrew]

LOL, yep, its on that back road right before you get into town, that was 2012 I think when our daughters were roommates, which i still find hard to believe.

I actually got it when I went down there to move my daughter out. It was like Chestertown's parting gift to me 🫤

 

[LeapinLou]

This thread is a good reminder that I need to be careful this weekend. MD and Wash DC are predatory in this regard.

 

[SouthJerseyRU]

Just curious, where you using Waze, and if so did it give you a warning? I'm not sure if it does for speed trap cameras, but I keep it on all the time now to get cop alerts and red light camera warnings.