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1. How do red light cameras work?

Radar technology monitors an approaching vehicle's position and speed as it nears the white stop line at an intersection. If an approaching vehicle is exceeding a preset threshold speed prior to the intersection and the traffic signal is red, the camera system will initiate a photograph sequence. The camera first captures a wide-angle photograph of the vehicle before it enters the intersection with the traffic signal clearly illuminated red. Shortly thereafter, the camera captures another photograph of the vehicle in the intersection with the traffic signal still illuminated red. The license plate image is obtained from one of the high resolution photographs.  The red light cameras utilize a flash to enhance the photographs and license plate.  The camera systems also use full-motion video clips to supplement the photographs printed on a red light camera citation. A multi-step review process occurs prior to issuing each and every citation and it is ultimately trained Hagerstown Police personnel who make the final determination if the criterion to issue a citation was met.

2. How is revenue from the Red Light Camera Program allocated?

Red Light Camera Program revenue is allocated in the City of Hagerstown’s General Fund where it will be used for Police Department functions.

3. What does a red light camera look like?

The cameras and detection devices are mounted on dedicated metal poles prior to and/or after an enforced intersection approach.

4. Do red light cameras reduce collisions and red light running at intersections where they are used?

Because Hagerstown’s program is new, studies and data will be forthcoming. However, Howard County, Maryland’s program shows significant results in improving safety. A 2008 study (the most recent available) by the Howard County Traffic Engineering department showed an overall collision reduction of 29 percent at enforced approaches. Right-angle collisions have been reduced by 55 percent. The same study also showed an overall reduction of rear-end collisions at sites where the cameras are used. A 2015 Howard County analysis reveals that red light running at enforced sites has reduced by 59 percent when comparing the sites' initial month of activation to their 2015 monthly averages. The same analysis shows that when comparing each camera sites' first full calendar year of recorded red light running to 2015, there is an overall 31 percent reduction.

5. Can the cameras be used to enforce other violations, such as not wearing a seat belt, texting while driving or speeding?

No. Maryland law prohibits the use of red light cameras for any other purpose other than enforcing red light camera violations.

6. If I come to a stop after the white line, will I be issued a citation?

If a vehicle crosses completely over the white stop line while facing a red signal, a violation has occurred and a citation may be issued. However, if the driver only partially crosses the stop line before coming to a stop, the City of Hagerstown will not issue a citation.

7. If I am in the intersection when the light turns red, will I be issued a citation?

No. If your vehicle has crossed the white stop line and entered the intersection while the light is amber (yellow) and then the light turns red while the vehicle is still in the intersection, a citation will not be issued

8. Will I be issued a citation for not coming to a stop before making a right turn on red?

Hagerstown red light cameras do not monitor right turn lanes. However, if a police officer observes a vehicle failing to make a complete stop at a red light before making a right turn, the officer may issue a traffic citation.

9. Where is the citation sent? How long after a violation will the ticket be sent?

The citation is sent to the address of the vehicle’s registered owner on record with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Citations are required by law to be mailed within 14 days of the violation.

10. What information will be displayed on the citation?

The citation will include three pictures showing the vehicle committing the violation and the vehicle’s license plate number. It will include the exact date, time and location of the violation, a violation number, the amount due, the due date and instructions for paying the fine or requesting a court date. The vehicle’s speed, the road’s speed limit, the length of the amber (yellow) light and how long the light was red when the photographs were captured are all included. It also includes a signature of the certified Hagerstown Police officer who reviewed the images and determined if the criteria to issue a citation were met. Additionally, red light citations include a link to a web site where you can view the photographs, full motion video and pay the fine. Click here to see a sample citation.

11. Who is responsible to pay the ticket: the owner of the vehicle or the person who was driving when the citation was issued?

Similar to a parking ticket, the registered owner of the vehicle is the responsible party in Maryland, regardless of who was driving the vehicle at the time the citation was issued. The registered owner is responsible for transferring liability if another person was driving the vehicle at the time the citation was incurred. If you need to name another driver as the person responsible for the citation, complete this form  and follow the instructions to send the information via Certified Mail to the appropriate address.

 

12. Can I dispute the citation?

If you receive a citation, you have the option to pay the fine or request a court hearing. If you wish to schedule a hearing, you are required by law to mail a request to:

Hagerstown, MD Violations Processing Center

PO Box 22091

Tempe, AZ 85285-2091

This request must be received five days prior to the payment due date. You will be mailed a notice of the court hearing date, time and location. If you appear in court, the maximum amount you may be charged is a $100 fine and $22.50 in court costs.

The registered owner of the vehicle also has the option to declare he/she is not liable for the citation based on other circumstantial factors. Complete this form  and mail it to the appropriate address if you need to contest liability in certain instances.

13. What if I fail to pay or request a hearing in a timely manner?

Failure to pay the fine or request a hearing in a timely fashion may result in a flagging of the vehicle registration and therefore MVA's refusal to renew its registration. If this happens, the vehicle’s registered owner is then liable for an administrative motor vehicle flagging fee with the MVA in addition to the original fine to renew their vehicle registration.

14. What is the fine for a Hagerstown red light citation? Are there late fees?

The fine is $75. There are no added late fees. The addition of an MVA administrative flagging fee applies if the citation goes unpaid and the vehicle registration is flagged as a result.

Pay online: View/pay the citation online.  Major credit cards are accepted. There is an added $5 convenience fee to use the online payment service.

Mail a check: You may also mail a check for the amount due, along with the payment stub attached to the citation, to: 

Hagerstown Police Department

PO Box 742503

Cincinnati, OH 45274-2503

Checks should be made payable to the City of Hagerstown.

15. Will this violation go on my driving record? Are there points assessed? Will it affect my insurance rates?

Red light camera citations are civil citations, not moving violations, similar to parking tickets. They are not reflected on driving records. No points are assessed. Insurance companies are not allowed to access red light camera violation information or raise insurance rates as a result of them.

16. How can I contact the Hagerstown Red Light Camera Program?

Contact the Hagerstown Police Department at 301-790-3700 ext. 352 and ask to speak with the red light camera program administrator. The Police Department’s fax number is 301-733-5513.