§ 21–810.1
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 21-810.1 (2026)
Title 21. Vehicle Laws -- Rules of the Road
Subtitle 8. Speed Restrictions
§ 21–810.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
(i)
“Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or a lessee of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or longer.
(ii)
“Owner” does not include:
(1)
A motor vehicle rental or leasing company; or
(2)
A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article.
(3)
“Recorded image” means an image recorded by a speed monitoring system:
(i)
On:
(1)
A photograph;
(2)
A microphotograph;
(3)
An electronic image;
(4)
Videotape; or
(5)
Any other medium; and
(ii)
Showing:
(1)
The rear of a motor vehicle;
(2)
At least two time–stamped images of the motor vehicle that include the same stationary object near the motor vehicle; and
(3)
On at least one image or portion of tape, a clear and legible identification of the entire registration plate number of the motor vehicle.
(4)
“Safety corridor speed monitoring system” means a speed monitoring system as defined under § 21–809 of this subtitle that is placed and used in a safety corridor.
(5)
“Safety corridor speed monitoring system operator” means a representative of the State Highway Administration or its contractor that operates a safety corridor speed monitoring system.
(6)
(i)
“Vulnerable road user” means an individual on a highway who is not traveling in a motor vehicle.
(ii)
“Vulnerable road user” includes pedestrians, bicyclists, other cyclists, persons using a personal conveyance or a mobility device such as a wheelchair, and persons on foot in a highway work zone.
(b)
(1)
(i)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system that meets the requirements of this subsection may be authorized by the State Highway Administration and used by the State Highway Administration or its contractor to record the images of motor vehicles traveling on a State highway within a safety corridor.
(ii)
The State Highway Administration may issue a permit authorizing a local jurisdiction that operates its own program of speed monitoring systems or work zone speed control systems to place, in accordance with § 21–809 of this subtitle, safety corridor speed monitoring systems on State highways in safety corridors within its jurisdiction.
(2)
(i)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system may be used only if, in accordance with the Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a conspicuous road sign is placed at a reasonable distance consistent with national guidelines before the safety corridor alerting drivers that a speed monitoring system may be in operation in the safety corridor.
(ii)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system operator does not need to be present in person or remotely at the safety corridor when a safety corridor speed monitoring system is in use.
(iii)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system may be a mobile unit or a stationary unit.
(3)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system may be used only to record the images of vehicles that are traveling at speeds at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
(4)
(i)
A safety corridor speed monitoring system shall undergo an annual calibration check performed by an independent calibration laboratory.
(ii)
The independent calibration laboratory shall issue a signed certificate of calibration after the annual calibration check that:
(1)
Shall be kept on file; and
(2)
Shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
(5)
If the State Highway Administration or its contractor moves or places a safety corridor speed monitoring system to or at a safety corridor where a safety corridor speed monitoring system had not previously been moved or placed within the previous year, the State Highway Administration shall mail a warning notice instead of a citation for a violation recorded by the safety corridor speed monitoring system during the first 30 days that the safety corridor speed monitoring system is in operation.
(6)
The procurement of or relating to a safety corridor speed monitoring system by the State Highway Administration shall be conducted in accordance with Title 13, Subtitle 1 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(7)
The placement of a safety corridor speed monitoring system shall be determined by the State Highway Administration:
(i)
Based on an analysis using generally accepted traffic engineering practices to determine an appropriate location in a safety corridor, and after consultation with the appropriate local jurisdiction; and
(ii)
In a manner that is not redundant with a speed monitoring system operated by a local jurisdiction under this subtitle.
(c)
(1)
Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(4) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if an image of the motor vehicle is recorded by a safety corridor speed monitoring system while being operated in violation of this subtitle.
(2)
A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed:
(i)
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 12 and 15, inclusive, miles per hour, $40;
(ii)
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 16 and 19, inclusive, miles per hour, $70;
(iii)
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 20 and 29, inclusive, miles per hour, $120;
(iv)
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 30 and 39, inclusive, miles per hour, $230; and
(v)
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by 40 miles per hour or more, $425.
(3)
For the purposes of this section, the District Court shall:
(i)
Prescribe a uniform citation form consistent with subsection (d)(1) of this section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and
(ii)
Include a place on the citation to indicate the amount of the civil penalty to be paid by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court.
(d)
(1)
Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the State Highway Administration or its contractor shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (c) of this section a citation that shall include:
(i)
The name and address of the registered owner of the motor vehicle;
(ii)
The registration plate number of the motor vehicle involved in the violation;
(iii)
The violation charged;
(iv)
The location where the violation occurred;
(v)
The date and time of the violation;
(vi)
At least one recorded image of the vehicle with a data bar imprinted on the image that includes the speed of the vehicle and the date and time the image was recorded;
(vii)
The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which the civil penalty must be paid;
(viii)
A signed statement under oath by an authorized State Highway Administration representative or contractor that, based on inspection of recorded images, the motor vehicle was being operated in violation of this subtitle;
(ix)
A statement that recorded images are evidence of a violation of this subtitle;
(x)
Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this section of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the citation may be contested in the District Court; and
(xi)
Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this section that failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner:
(1)
Is an admission of liability;
(2)
May result in the refusal to register the motor vehicle; and
(3)
May result in the suspension of the motor vehicle registration.
(2)
The State Highway Administration or its contractor may mail a warning notice instead of a citation to the owner liable under subsection (c) of this section.
(3)
Except as provided in subsection (f)(4) of this section, the State Highway Administration or its contractor may not mail a citation to a person who is not an owner.
(4)
Except as provided in subsection (f)(4) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later than 2 weeks after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in the State, and not later than 30 days after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in another state.
(5)
A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection may:
(i)
Pay the civil penalty in accordance with instructions on the citation; or
(ii)
Elect to stand trial in the District Court for the alleged violation.
(6)
To mail the citation or warning notice, the State Highway Administration or its contractor shall use:
(i)
The current mailing address on file with the Administration; or
(ii)
If a mailing address is unavailable, the current residential address on file with the Administration.
(e)
(1)
A certificate alleging that the violation of this subtitle occurred and the requirements under subsection (b) of this section have been satisfied, sworn to or affirmed by an authorized State Highway Administration representative or contractor, based on inspection of recorded images produced by a safety corridor speed monitoring system, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the certificate and shall be admissible in a proceeding alleging a violation under this section without the presence or testimony of the safety corridor speed monitoring system operator.
(2)
If a person who received a citation under subsection (d) of this section desires the safety corridor speed monitoring system operator to be present and testify at trial, the person shall notify the District Court and the representative of the State Highway Administration or its contractor that issued the citation in writing not later than 20 days before trial.
(3)
Adjudication of liability shall be based on a preponderance of evidence.
(f)
(1)
The District Court may consider in defense of a violation:
(i)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle or the registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the vehicle owner at the time of the violation;
(ii)
Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and
(iii)
Any other issues and evidence that the District Court deems pertinent.
(2)
To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation, the owner shall submit proof that a police report regarding the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner.
(3)
To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that:
(i)
States that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and
(ii)
Includes any other corroborating evidence.
(4)
(i)
If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under paragraph (3) of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation, the clerk of the court may provide to the State Highway Administration representative or the contractor that issued the citation a copy of any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(ii)
On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State Highway Administration representative or the contractor that issued the citation may issue a citation as provided in subsection (d) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(iii)
Any citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court.
(g)
If a person liable under this section does not pay the civil penalty or contest the violation, the Administration may refuse to register or reregister the motor vehicle cited for the violation.
(h)
A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section:
(1)
Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 16–402 of this article;
(2)
May not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record of the owner or driver of the vehicle;
(3)
May be treated as a parking violation for purposes of § 26–305 of this article; and
(4)
May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance coverage.
(i)
(1)
In consultation with the State Highway Administration, the Chief Judge of the District Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, the trial of civil violations, and the collection of civil penalties under this section.
(2)
The standards and requirements for the use, processing, and disposal of recorded images and associated data established under § 12–113.1 of this article apply to citations issued under this section.
(j)
(1)
The State Highway Administration or a contractor designated by the State Highway Administration shall administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the District Court.
(2)
If a contractor provides, deploys, or operates a safety corridor speed monitoring system for the State Highway Administration, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on the number of citations issued or paid.
(k)
The State Highway Administration may adopt regulations establishing standards and procedures for safety corridor speed monitoring systems.