OT: I-95 Camera Ticket (MD)

[NotInRHouse]

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

Idk how NJ can prevent other states from sending tickets. Sort through the mail?

They CAN prevent other states' tickets from giving you points here (NY does this).

 

[Zak57]

Idk how NJ can prevent other states from sending tickets. Sort through the mail?

They CAN prevent other states' tickets from giving you points here (NY does this).

Maryland has to get the license plate data from somewhere which is the MVC. I'm assuming the law wouldn't allow the MVC to hand that out to other states?

 

[S_Janowski]

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.

I’m not a huge fan of Waze (too many distractions for me) and usually go with Google Maps.

Google Maps now alerts you of cops / speed traps but I’m not sure if it alerts of speed camera’s. If it did I totally missed it

 

[e5fdny]

I’m not a huge fan of Waze (too many distractions for me) and usually go with Google Maps.

Google Maps now alerts you of cops / speed traps but I’m not sure if it alerts of speed camera’s. If it did I totally missed it

If it’s just on in the background, not so bad. And does provide the info @SouthJerseyRU is talking about.

But yeah, using it for your route can get annoying.

 

[RU848789]

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

Also, from a legal perspective, wouldn't you think the Maryland "Safe Zones" website would have to clearly state that vehicle impoundment is a potential consequence, if the state actually does that? That plus the fact that there's no impact on my NJ driving record or insurance has me leaning towards not paying. At the very least, I'm curious to see if any "late payment" letters state that impoundment is a risk, because one would absolutely think a communication from them to violators would have to say that.

 

[applesktrack]

Do the points count against insurance in NJ?

No points for speed camera tickets in MD just a fine

 

[mosito]

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.

This happened to me too. I knew they had cameras in many places.... always made sure I stayed at the speed limit...

I guess i lost focus for a few seconds, because my mom got the ticket in the mail. I was driving her SUV as i was taking her somewhere.

That is why it does not result in points, since they do not know who was driving.

 

[DJ Spanky]

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

So 2014 was when NJ got rid of its red light camera experiment.

Sacco, D-Hudson, and Scutari, D-Union, first introduced a similar bill in 2014, when New Jersey did away with its own red-light camera program.

“Red-light cameras have been banned in New Jersey since the program expired in 2014 and speed cameras have never been allowed, so there is no reason why our residents should still be receiving citations from these devices,” Scutari said in a statement.

O’Scanlon said New Jersey was one of the few states with enough “guts” to do away with red-light cameras after recognizing there were no safety benefits.

 

[RU_87]

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.

Philadelphia sometimes puts them in construction zones on rt 95. Got one in the mail, but 1st offense was $0

 

[ScarletDave]

For boring drive thru states with not a lot going for the local economy, they cash grab the road travelers (see: Delaware toll booths every half mile, Maryland speed cameras, Virginia Blue lights)

 

[hrdcorhays]

Philadelphia sometimes puts them in construction zones on rt 95. Got one in the mail, but 1st offense was $0

Yep! I really hope these never come to Jersey. I drive a fair bit for work (20k miles per year), and although I drive safely, driving ~15 over the speed limit saves me a TON of time in my life. Having to constantly worry about these will waste alot of my time.

One thing that does help alot in Maryland is using Waze instead of Google maps. Between that and knowing what to look for (its a mast, about 5 feet tall, usually attached to a hood of a car, with some flash strobes on it) I've been knock on wood OK lately.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Maryland has to get the license plate data from somewhere which is the MVC. I'm assuming the law wouldn't allow the MVC to hand that out to other states?

Perhaps though could tie to a national base for when there's an Amber Alert

 

[RU_87]

Also, from a legal perspective, wouldn't you think the Maryland "Safe Zones" website would have to clearly state that vehicle impoundment is a potential consequence, if the state actually does that? That plus the fact that there's no impact on my NJ driving record or insurance has me leaning towards not paying. At the very least, I'm curious to see if any "late payment" letters state that impoundment is a risk, because one would absolutely think a communication from them to violators would have to say that.

“the fact that there's no impact on my NJ driving record or insurance has me leaning towards not paying” … I’m not familiar w Maryland or todays laws in general but my brother received what seemed to be an insignificant ticket in the 70s in Virginia (if I recall correctly). He opted not to pay it and ultimately it resulted in a warrant for his arrest, should he have stepped into the state of VA. He cleared it up but would’ve been much easier and cost effective to just pay the ticket.

 

[RUinOhio]

I would ignore it. They can't do anything because they can't prove shit. They won't do anything about it either, its a cash grab. unless your car is registered in maryland. in which case they *could* suspend registration

 

[wheezer]

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 don’t think you have a valid complaint

Even if construction was not happening
at that time, you were over a posted limit

 

[linzalonic]

This thread has me nervous bc I drove down to Baltimore Tuesday morning. No traffic, so I was enjoying a healthy speed. Not fast enough to get pulled over by any of the cops stationed in various hiding spots along the way, but definitely more than 12mph over.

 

[Kbee3]

This thread has me nervous bc I drove down to Baltimore Tuesday morning. No traffic, so I was enjoying a healthy speed. Not fast enough to get pulled over by any of the cops stationed in various hiding spots along the way, but definitely more than 12mph over.

Why would you be driving more than 12 mph over the speed limit ?
And "healthy speed" for who ?

 

[WhiteBus]

I'm not going to say this is not a cash grab as it is but in Philadelphia they have had great success with it. Dramatic drop in deaths and speeding. Since the program began there has been 95% less violations. Accidents and fatalities are way down as well.
Stop your complaining and slow down.
The fines collected are going back to make improvements in the Roosevelt Boulevard corridor (Route 1) so it's a direct benefit.

https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/pennsylvania-legalized-speed-cameras-roosevelt-boulevard

 

[RCBeta79]

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 of these on the PA Turnpike on the way to Pittsburgh up in the hills....and there was a sign about Camera Tickets.....no workers were active in the area. Fortunately, in PA, they give you a warning letter.

 

[WhiteBus]

I got one of these on the PA Turnpike on the way to Pittsburgh up in the hills....and there was a sign about Camera Tickets.....no workers were active in the area. Fortunately, in PA, they give you a warning letter.

Usually the warning in PA is for a new location only. I don't remember if it was 3 months or 6. After that you'll get a ticket.

 

[TRU2RU]

Just got to College Park Maryland Waze notified me of at least 10 speed cameras on I95 & once in College Park just about every red light has a camera doing tickets for violations

 

[Bagarocks]

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?

sounds like cha-ching camera

 

[Bagarocks]

First time I saw this was in Germany in the 70's. Gray boxes along the road pic speed and tic.

 

[mikeinsec127]

So you know, the E-Z Pass system has that capability. E-Z Passes are used to calculate travel times shown on the VMBs along the highway. You pass a reader and it registers. You pass a second reader and it registers. The time difference is then transmitted to the VMB. But the system can be used to calculate speed by the time vs distance equation. So far no DOT has turned it on.

 

[RU848789]

“the fact that there's no impact on my NJ driving record or insurance has me leaning towards not paying” … I’m not familiar w Maryland or todays laws in general but my brother received what seemed to be an insignificant ticket in the 70s in Virginia (if I recall correctly). He opted not to pay it and ultimately it resulted in a warrant for his arrest, should he have stepped into the state of VA. He cleared it up but would’ve been much easier and cost effective to just pay the ticket.

Huge difference between a criminal ticket issued by an officer and a civil ticket issued by a camera. I've had both kinds of tickets in multiple states and would never ignore paying a criminal ticket for the reasons you stated. The risks of ignoring a civil ticket seem to be non-existent for an out of state driver.

 

[mildone]

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

I can tell you that isn’t, or at least wasn’t true. If it’s changed, it did so very recently.

I drove back from an F1 race in Montreal years ago, traveling the parkway from the top down to the Iselin exit. I don’t think my speed dipped below 100 for any point of the time on the parkway (this was late night, almost no other cars on the road). And I had ez-pass at the time. No tickets.

I also used to regularly drive down the NJ Turnpike and PA Turnpike in the wee hours of the morning, very fast. I did get pulled over once, and given a ticket, 3 tickets actually (127 in a 65). But never got any tickets from ez-pass tracking.

 

[mildone]

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.

I use Waze and it’s helpful for alerts of police presence. However it doesn’t report speed or light cams.

However, high-end radar detectors with gps capabilities do warn about known cameras or cameras with detectable radar signatures. You need to keep the database in your detector up to date, though (easy enough) and there’s gonna be a gap between new csm locations and when they appear in the database.

 

[TRU2RU]

I use Waze and it’s helpful for alerts of police presence. However it doesn’t report speed or light cams.

However, high-end radar detectors with gps capabilities do warn about known cameras or cameras with detectable radar signatures. You need to keep the database in your detector up to date, though (easy enough) and there’s gonna be a gap between new csm locations and when they appear in the database.

Yes it does report speed & red light cameras it most certainly did today in Maryland

 

[Rhuarc]

With the amount of people blowing red lights since the pandemic ended, I'm starting to come around a bit to red light cameras. I know there's situations where it's dangerous and not a good idea (Bakers Basin, I'm talking about you). However on roads like 206, the amount of people driving through red lights that are 1-3 seconds old is pretty alarming. Something needs to be done to those drivers who are creating dangerous situations.

 

[Armor and Sword]

Use to drive this stretch of 95 frequenlty. MD has been doing this for at least a decade, probably starting with the first express toll lane project on I-95 between the 95/895 split and White Marsh exit. Now the express toll lanes are being extended further north to the Bel Air exit, so more construction and more of these speed traps.

Might be too late to post this but if you are heading to the MD game today:

You need be no more than 10-11 miles over the limit when you go through these construction areas even if not an active work zone. The camera is usually in a white compact SUV in front of or near a port-a-john. You will see these after the Bel Air exit unless there's some other construction going on before hand.

Some other speed trap info:

MD STA cops (rememeber Amy Ryan in Season 2 of The Wire?) like to hang out under a bridge by the left lane at the start of 895 southbound across the from a MD DOT salt shed. A very well hidden trap.

MD State police do a trap before the Maryland House service area past Aberdeen going southbound. Going northbound watch the bottom of the hill in the median after the Perryville exit and before the Chespapeake House service area. hard to see until its too late.

 

[mildone]

With the amount of people blowing red lights since the pandemic ended, I'm starting to come around a bit to red light cameras. I know there's situations where it's dangerous and not a good idea (Bakers Basin, I'm talking about you). However on roads like 206, the amount of people driving through red lights that are 1-3 seconds old is pretty alarming. Something needs to be done to those drivers who are creating dangerous situations.

This is a fair point. Post pandemic, bad driving has gone from an occasional thing to a very regular thing, at least in central and northern NJ.

Some of the things I see every time I venture out in suburban NJ include:

- illegal U turns on busy streets across double-yellow lines
- people knowingly driving the wrong way down one way streets
- people doing burnouts in town centers on weekend evenings
- people double-parking on narrow suburban town roads like it's NYC or Brooklyn
- people drifting across lanes on the highway continuously, almost like they're drunk and weaving
- people blowing through stop signs or red lights

This stuff always happened. But it never, in my lifetime, happened at the insane rate it's taking place these days.

So yeah, I'm with you on the red light cams. I drive very fast sometimes, so I'm less a fan of speed cams. I'd rather see distraction cams that ticket people for not having their eyes up when driving. I mean, a rapid glance down is one thing. People on camera not looking up for 30 seconds while driving on the highway or country roads (videos you can find on YouTube or twitter, etc.) is the most dangerous thing I see.

 

[fsg2]

First time I saw this was in Germany in the 70's. Gray boxes along the road pic speed and tic.

Got TKR jinxed on this one.

Half day after responding to this thread, I get a letter addressed "Herr". Thanks to this thread, I knew exactly what it was. Speed camera ticket from German trip months ago.

How is that even worth tracking down internationally for 40 euros? Not exactly a tourism-friendly move either.

I'd like to blame @S_Janowski, but I know it's my fault for responding 😋

 

[Rhuarc]

This is a fair point. Post pandemic, bad driving has gone from an occasional thing to a very regular thing, at least in central and northern NJ.

Some of the things I see every time I venture out in suburban NJ include:

- illegal U turns on busy streets across double-yellow lines
- people knowingly driving the wrong way down one way streets
- people doing burnouts in town centers on weekend evenings
- people double-parking on narrow suburban town roads like it's NYC or Brooklyn
- people drifting across lanes on the highway continuously, almost like they're drunk and weaving
- people blowing through stop signs or red lights

This stuff always happened. But it never, in my lifetime, happened at the insane rate it's taking place these days.

So yeah, I'm with you on the red light cams. I drive very fast sometimes, so I'm less a fan of speed cams. I'd rather see distraction cams that ticket people for not having their eyes up when driving. I mean, a rapid glance down is one thing. People on camera not looking up for 30 seconds while driving on the highway or country roads (videos you can find on YouTube or twitter, etc.) is the most dangerous thing I see.

I don't really want more government oversight but I'm not sure how else to stop these wackos. If they were just killing each other, I wouldn't care. However, my daughter will be driving in 2 years and I constantly have to remind her not to gun it when the light turns green and to have your head on a swivel when entering an intersection.

 

[mildone]

I don't really want more government oversight but I'm not sure how else to stop these wackos. If they were just killing each other, I wouldn't care. However, my daughter will be driving in 2 years and I constantly have to remind her not to gun it when the light turns green and to have your head on a swivel when entering an intersection.

100% agree. My general opinion about such stuff is that, although it can often be harder to do it this way, I prefer solutions only focus on the individuals creating the unsafe situations rather than doing stuff that impacts everybody.

I think red light, stop sign and speed cams are perfectly okay as long as they are placed in public areas where the police can patrol or watch without requiring a warrant. The cams are no more invasive of our privacy than police sitting in a patrol car.

And what's the alternative? Pretty sure nobody wants to see their taxes raised to pay for vastly more cops to patrol, right? Cams are an inexpensive solution. And not doing things to prevent unsafe driving makes the roads less safe for everyone.

I don't really understand the whining about the cams and tickets. I drive very fast (when and where it's safe to do so). When I get a ticket, I don't complain about it. I broke the law, I deserve the ticket. Is not the cops fault or the government's fault I broke the law.

 

[RU848789]

This is a fair point. Post pandemic, bad driving has gone from an occasional thing to a very regular thing, at least in central and northern NJ.

Some of the things I see every time I venture out in suburban NJ include:

- illegal U turns on busy streets across double-yellow lines
- people knowingly driving the wrong way down one way streets
- people doing burnouts in town centers on weekend evenings
- people double-parking on narrow suburban town roads like it's NYC or Brooklyn
- people drifting across lanes on the highway continuously, almost like they're drunk and weaving
- people blowing through stop signs or red lights

This stuff always happened. But it never, in my lifetime, happened at the insane rate it's taking place these days.

So yeah, I'm with you on the red light cams. I drive very fast sometimes, so I'm less a fan of speed cams. I'd rather see distraction cams that ticket people for not having their eyes up when driving. I mean, a rapid glance down is one thing. People on camera not looking up for 30 seconds while driving on the highway or country roads (videos you can find on YouTube or twitter, etc.) is the most dangerous thing I see.

I'll add two more: I see way more nutjobs passing at high speed in the shoulder, which is very dangerous, and I see way more trucks and buses in the left lane on major highways, despite signs saying no trucks/buses or buses in the left lane and this one really pisses me off, because they often completely clog up any ability to pass these vehicles (which is probably why we see more of the first one, lol).

 

[mildone]

I'll add two more: I see way more nutjobs passing at high speed in the shoulder, which is very dangerous, and I see way more trucks and buses in the left lane on major highways, despite signs saying no trucks/buses or buses in the left lane and this one really pisses me off, because they often completely clog up any ability to pass these vehicles (which is probably why we see more of the first one, lol).

Used to be that speeding was the only commonly broken potentially dangerous thing. Now it seems far too many people just ignore all traffic rules/laws and do whatever they feel like while mostly not paying attention. And the line of demarcation does seem to be post pandemic shutdown.

Very weird.

 

[e5fdny]

100% agree. My general opinion about such stuff is that, although it can often be harder to do it this way, I prefer solutions only focus on the individuals creating the unsafe situations rather than doing stuff that impacts everybody.

I think red light, stop sign and speed cams are perfectly okay as long as they are placed in public areas where the police can patrol or watch without requiring a warrant. The cams are no more invasive of our privacy than police sitting in a patrol car.

And what's the alternative? Pretty sure nobody wants to see their taxes raised to pay for vastly more cops to patrol, right? Cams are an inexpensive solution. And not doing things to prevent unsafe driving makes the roads less safe for everyone.

I don't really understand the whining about the cams and tickets. I drive very fast (when and where it's safe to do so). When I get a ticket, I don't complain about it. I broke the law, I deserve the ticket. Is not the cops fault or the government's fault I broke the law.

I think many in the thread are talking about the arbitrariness of the number. Or when there is no construction.

Not many would disagree that you speed, like REALLY speed, the ticket is warranted.

 

[mildone]

I think many in the thread are talking about the arbitrariness of the number. Or when there is no construction.

Not many would disagree that you speed, like REALLY speed, the ticket is warranted.

I can understand that. 12 over on the highway isn’t unusual. OTOH, I know a kid who got a speeding ticket for 5 over once. That had to hurt.

 

[lakejj]

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.

Great story @beaced! My Pop was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Got his wings in Aug of '44, when he was 19. He would have turned 100 last month. AMAZING what you boys did at such a young age. Thank You for your service!

 

[mosito]

Why would you be driving more than 12 mph over the speed limit ?
And "healthy speed" for who ?

My guess, not a healthy speed for people who suck at driving.
Just because someone can press a button and get a car to move, does not mean they should be on the road.

Obviously don't go 37 on a 25........ but 90% of the folks on Route 80 are going over 8 mph. Sometimes i cruise at 73ish on a 65, and everyone is passing me.... except for the 5% that actually make me brake