Program Overview

Goals

Driving too fast for conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Driving too fast for conditions reduces a driver’s ability to safely navigate through and react to work zone conditions, like slow-moving construction vehicles entering and exiting the work area.

With that in mind, the goals of the Maryland SafeZones program are to reduce excessive speeding in work zones, improve driver behavior and attentiveness, and promote work zone safety. The Maryland SafeZones program not only safeguards workers but also protects drivers and passengers traveling through construction zones.

In work zones where deployed, automated speed enforcement has been effective in slowing traffic, evidenced by the drop in citations issued at these work zones.

Program History

Transportation Article §21-810 became effective on October 1, 2009. This law allowed the use of automated speed enforcement systems to fine drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more in work zones along controlled access roadways with a 45 mph or higher speed limit.

On October 1, 2009, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and the Maryland State Police (MSP) launched a pilot automated speed enforcement program. Following the success of the pilot program, the long-term Maryland SafeZones program was launched on July 1, 2010.

Current Program

Speed enforcement through the Maryland SafeZones program is conducted using laser technology and cameras mounted on enforcement vehicles. All citations are verified by MSP or MDTA Police, depending on the location of the work zone. Operators do not need to be present in the work zone while the automated speed enforcement system is in use.

Maryland SafeZones enforcement vehicles rotate among eligible work zones throughout the State. As construction on eligible projects begins, additional work zones are added to the program. Automated speed enforcement is now permitted in all work zones, regardless of roadway classification, where the posted speed limit prior to implementing the work zone is 45 mph or greater.

Multiple automated speed enforcement systems may be used within the same work zone. If a work zone has more than one automated speed enforcement system in use, no more than one citation will be issued to the same registration plate for violations that occur within a 1-hour period in that work zone.

Advanced signage alerts drivers of the posted speed limit and that there may be automated speed enforcement in the work zone. Additionally, a speed display trailer posts the speed limit and provides a digital reading of approaching vehicle speeds in advance of the enforcement vehicle. The intent of the speed display trailer is to prompt drivers to reduce their vehicle speed.

WORK ZONE SPEED VIOLATION FINES

On June 1, 2024, fines for exceeding the posted work zone speed limit by 12 mph or more were increased from $40 to $80. Effective January 1, 2025, Maryland’s work zone speed violation fines will follow a tiered system based on the speed the vehicle is traveling above the posted speed limit. The new law includes a provision that doubles the fine a motorist will receive when workers are present. Flashing lights will be activated in the work zone when workers are present to indicate when higher fines are in effect. The new tiered fine structure is as follows:


Speed Range, in Excess of Work Zone Speed Limit (as of January 1, 2025) Fine Fine, Workers Present
Between 12 and 15 mph, inclusive $60 $120
Between 16 and 19 mph, inclusive $80 $160
Between 20 and 29 mph, inclusive $140 $280
Between 30 and 39 mph, inclusive $270 $540
40 mph or more $500 $1,000