Get ready, because Maryland is changing its laws. Starting this month, speed cameras will not only take a picture of those who push the accelerator too far, but will also issue automatic fines that now go up to $425! And the fine goes directly to the owner of the car, it doesn’t matter if they weren’t driving at that moment, so pay close attention and ease off that accelerator if you don’t want a fine coming your way!
Here’s how the system works
Until now, all camera fines were the same, 40 dollars, no matter how fast you were going. But now Maryland has created a tiered system, so your fine will depend on how much you exceed the limit.
Here’s what the fines look like based on how many miles per hour you go over:
- Up to 15 mph (24 km/h): 40 dollars
- Between 16 and 19 mph: 70 dollars
- Between 20 and 29 mph: 120 dollars
- More than 30 mph: 230 dollars
- And if you exceed the limit by 40 mph or more, get ready… a $425 fine!!
Speed kills, and now it will cost you more too, so be very careful about pressing that pedal to the floor, it comes with a price!
Of course, this new measure aims to eliminate so-called “super drivers” those who think they’re Lightning McQueen and race down the highways without thinking about the consequences. That’s over now!
Fines even if you weren’t driving
This has probably been the most controversial part of the new regulation. The fine will not go to whoever was behind the wheel but to the owner of the vehicle. So if your cousin, your mother, or your partner happened to be driving your car and went too fast, the fine will arrive in your mailbox (this is going to cause more than one family civil war…).
This happens because the system is directly connected to the vehicle registration database, so everything is automatic. Many people think it’s an unfair and difficult rule to appeal since you can’t prove who was driving, but it’s also meant to raise awareness at a family level. No one speeds, no fines arrive at home, it’s not that hard.
Zero tolerance for speeding
Maryland has been changing its rules for some time to improve road safety, and this law is just one of a series of measures that includes tougher penalties for reckless or distracted driving.
- If you’re caught going 30 mph over the limit, you could face 60 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and six points on your license.
- And “negligent driving” (which used to be considered minor) can now cost you up to $750 and two points.
Does it happen in other states?
Yes. New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco also use similar systems, and believe it or not, they result in fewer accidents and fewer deaths on the road, although, according to some, the trade-off is privacy issues and identification errors.
State officials insist that these cameras reduce repeat offenses and make drivers ease off the accelerator to avoid another fine, but the truth is it’s not foolproof, because sometimes they end up fining the wrong person.
In any case, Maryland has new rules and we have to follow them. From now on, speeding comes at a price, and it’s not cheap, but neither is losing your life on the road. So you know, don’t speed, and if you lend your car to someone, make sure the person driving doesn’t think they’re in Fast & Furious!