Rising Sun holds first reading of ordinance to create school‑zone speed camera program

The Town of Rising Sun held a first reading on March 26 of Ordinance 2024‑03, a draft amendment to chapter 4 of the town code to create a School Zone Speed Camera Safety Program.

Town administrator reading the draft told commissioners the 11‑page ordinance would add a new article to the town’s traffic code, authorize speed monitoring systems in school zones consistent with Title 21 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and require public notice and signage before issuing citations. The draft specifies that a speed monitoring system must be publicly posted in the town newspaper and on the town government website for at least 15 calendar days before citations are issued for that location.

The draft ordinance assigns program administration to the chief of police and requires designated speed monitoring system operators to comply with state training and calibration requirements. It also lists reporting obligations, including counts of citations issued and gross revenue generated, to be filed with relevant state oversight bodies.

On penalties, the draft distinguishes between on‑scene officer citations governed by state speed limits and automated system citations. The administrator read language establishing a $40 civil penalty for violations produced by the speed monitoring system: "the amount of $40 per violation is hereby established." The draft also explains that, in contested cases, collection and judicial review would follow Maryland court procedures cited in the draft.

The administrator said the ordinance remains a draft and that staff and the town attorney would meet to address clarifying edits before scheduling a public hearing and final action. He noted state law controls several substantive elements of such programs and that only minor local changes are possible. No public hearing or final vote was held at this meeting.