Â鶹´«Ã½

A new speed camera will capture images of drivers exceeding the posted limit on Goldsborough Street near the Country School.

The speed automated system complies with a Maryland law that authorizes cities and towns to establish school zones and use speed monitoring systems to enforce speed limits.

According to a Sept. 29 press release from the Easton Police Department, these speed camera programs "are viewed as an effective means of positively changing driver behavior and improving safety for both pedestrians and motorists."

“Our main objective is to protect the children and residents of Easton from drivers who are choosing to disobey the posted speed limit and break the law," 1st Sgt. Rhonda Thomas said.

The speed enforcement equipment uses a radar camera programmed to capture a series of photographs of vehicles exceeding the posted limit by more than 12 mph from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The digital images will be used to identify the vehicle’s registered owner and will appear on the citation that carries a $40 fine.

The vehicle’s recorded speed and the time of the violation will also be noted on the violation, which is being treated as a civil rather than criminal penalty. As a result, no license “points� will be assigned and insurance providers are not notified of the citation. 

To allow drivers who live, work or travel through the area time to become familiar with the program, warning notices will be issued to violators for the first 15 days. When the grace period ends, violators will receive the $40 citation which may be contested in Maryland District Court. The citation will also contain detailed instructions on how to pay the citation or request a court date. 

Information regarding the program is available on the police department page of the Easton town website , and signs will be posted advising drivers that speed cameras are snapping their pictures. 

“The overriding goal of this program is not to trap drivers or catch speeders," Thomas said. "The goal is to make people aware and get them to slow down. Lives depend on it."