Gaithersburg residents who drive 11 miles per hour or more over the speed limits in certain school and residential zones could be caught on camera and subject to $40 tickets when the city starts its “Safe Speed” program today.
The city follows Rockville, Chevy Chase and Montgomery County in authorizing the use of cameras in residential and school zones with speed limits of 35 mph or less. The Gaithersburg strategy consists of one mobile camera unit in a van operated by Affiliated Computer Services.
City police say initial photo radar enforcement will be conducted on Girard Street, Quince Orchard Boulevard, Watkins Mill Road and West Deer Park Road, but additional streets could be added in the future.
Police say officers will continue to use hand-held radar or laser to enforce speed limits.
“Feedback from residents has been mostly positive,” police spokesman Lt. Tom Campbell said. “They’re glad we’re doing it. Speeding in neighborhoods is one of the biggest complaints we get.”
The city will pay $3,000 a month or $16.25 per citation generated for the camera’s operation, whichever is more, Campbell said.
Money raised from the camera will go toward public safety initiatives, Campbell added.
Locations of photo radar enforcement efforts are available at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/police.
