ATVES

Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES)

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System known as ATVES. The primary goal of the ATVES program is to provide consistent enforcement of traffic regulations in order to modify driver behavior, reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities, and improve pedestrian, bicyclist, and vehicular safety throughout the City. Speeding and running red lights are leading causes of death and injury on Baltimore City roadways. Traffic cameras are a proven means of reducing speeding and red light running, resulting in safer streets for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Speed and Red-Light Cameras

Red Light Cameras

The Red Light camera Monitoring System is a stationary camera that uses sensors working in conjunction with a traffic control signal to record images of motor vehicles entering an intersection during a red light signal visible, both before entering the intersection and while the vehicle is in the intersection. The red light enforcement cameras are operational 24/7, every day of the year. Intersection locations with red light camera enforcement are listed on this website.

Penalties/Fines

Red Light Violation fines are $75.00. Failure to pay the civil penalty, request a review of the violation by the Local Designee (Ombudsman), or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability which may result in refusal or suspension of the motor vehicle registration.

Camera Location:

View Red Light cameras

Speed Monitoring System Cameras

Speed cameras are either permanently installed (fixed) in a particular location or are portable cameras that can be moved from location to location. Baltimore City speed cameras use tracking radar that measures the speed of vehicles that pass the camera. each speed monitoring system undergoes an in-house daily calibration test and an annual calibration test by an independent testing company. School Zone Speed Monitoring System Cameras measure vehicles exceeding the speed limit by at least 12 miles per hour in a posted (signed) school zone. Speeding vehicles will be tracked and photographed from the rear of the vehicle with tracking radar, photos, and video, that record the vehicles speed. School Zone Speed monitoring systems are operational Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., throughout the year.

Penalties/Fines

Both the School Zone and Work Zone Speed Camera fine is $40.00. Failure to pay the civil penalty, request a review of the violation by the Local Designee (Ombudsman), or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability which may result in refusal or suspension of the motor vehicle registration.

Camera Location:

View Speed cameras

Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring System Camera

The commercial Vehicle Monitoring System camera Program uses a vehicle's height to convey to the monitoring system that the vehicle is a restricted vehicle (over 3/4 ton). When a restricted vehicle is detected by the system, photos and video are taken of the front of the vehicle, in order to capture the registration identification of the vehicle's cab. Commercial vehicle height monitoring system cameras are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the year, on posted (signed) streets.

Penalties/Fines

Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring System civil fines are listed below:

First Offense - Warning
Second Offense - $125.00
Third or Subsequent Offenses - $250.00 each

Camera Locations:

Learn more about Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring System and view a list of locations.

Questions or requests for exemption from Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring citations should be emailed to ATVES.Ombudsman@baltimorecity.gov

City's designated Truck Route Map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need speed and red-light cameras?
Speeding and running red lights are leading causes of death and injury on Baltimore City roadways. Traffic cameras are a proven means of reducing speeding and red-light running, resulting in safer streets for motorists and pedestrians alike.

How are enforcement locations chosen?
BCDOT regularly evaluates traffic accidents, traffic violations, and vehicle volume counts throughout the City. Locations prone to accidents and/or traffic violations are studied to assess whether traffic cameras would positively affect roadway safety. Input from residents and city agencies is considered when deciding the locations for automated enforcement cameras; most camera locations are evaluated due to resident concerns.

What is a school zone?

Maryland transportation article 21-809 defines a school zone as a designated roadway segment within up to a half-mile radius of a school for any of grades kindergarten through grade 12 where school - related activity occurs, including travel by students to or from school on foot or by bicycle; or the dropping off or picking up of students by school buses or other vehicles.

How do you check the cameras for accuracy?
A daily self-test is performed by the photo enforcement vendor to ensure all components are working properly. Once complete, this information is then provided to the Department of Transportation ATVES Division for secondary assurance checks. In addition, all traffic cameras are audited by an outside vendor on an annual basis.

What are the fines?
Traffic camera infractions result in civil citations which must be paid in full 30 days from the violation notice date. The fines are as follows:

Speed camera fines are fixed at $40.00 per infraction.
Red light camera fines are fixed at $75.00 per infraction.
Commercial vehicle height cameras issue a warning on the first offense, a $125.00 fine on the second offense, and a $250.00 fine on the third and subsequent offenses.

Information on how to pay automated citations.

What if I don’t pay my fine?
Failure to pay a fine, request a violation review, or contest violation liability by the due date is an automatic admission of liability and may result in additional fees and/or penalties from the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration until all charges are paid in full.

Will paying citations affect my license or insurance rates?
No—traffic camera citations are civil violations and do not affect your insurance or driver's license status. You may be required to cover court costs by the District Court if you choose to contest your citation and are found guilty of the violation. Note: MVA reserves the right to refuse renewal of a registration for vehicles with over $1,000 in outstanding citations.

What does a local designee do?
This term refers to a public servant who advocates for residents and their concerns; in this case, a local designee works to review violation citations at the request of the motorist. Motorists may have a local designee review their case by emailing the ATVES Ombudsman.

How do I request a court hearing?
You may contest your citation in court by mailing a request at least 5 days before the due date on the front of your notice to:

Baltimore City Parking Fines
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

Apply to contest your citation in court. Be sure to enter your vehicle tag number or citation number, click on the citation, and then click on “Request a Trial” to begin the process.

What if I was not driving (transfer of liability)?

If you, the registered owner, were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, in order to prove that you were not the driver, in addition to your testimony at trial, the law requires you to provide a letter to the District Court that states that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. You must request a hearing and send this letter after you have received your hearing notice. Please include your citation number and the case number (if different from the citation number). Please mark your envelope “TRANSFER OF LIABILITY.”

If this citation involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F (tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) and you were not operating the vehicle at the time of this violation, you may send the District Court a letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, in which you swear or affirm that you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and that provides under oath or affirmation the name, address, and driver’s license number of the person who was operating the vehicle at that time, You must request a hearing and send this letter after you have received your hearing notice. Please include your citation number and the case number (if different from the citation number). Please mark your envelope “TRANSFER OF LIABILITY.”

How can I obtain information on camera operations?
Citizens who wish to obtain records and documents from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation must file a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request with the agency. Maryland’s Public Information Act grants access to public records while protecting governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. Motorists who receive automated enforcement citations and wish to obtain copies of camera calibration reports should file an MPIA request by emailing Kathy Dominick.

Speed Monitoring System - Interstate 83/Jones Falls Expressway (JFX)

The segment of I-83 within City limits (known as the Jones Falls Expressway / JFX) is owned and maintained by the City of Baltimore. The highway was built along the tight turns of the Jones Falls River, which has resulted in winding curves that are risky to motorists at high speeds. Despite our best efforts of speed limit enforcement, the highway continues to see alarming levels of reckless driving and speeding—we have recorded speeds as high as 173 MPH on I-83. In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the operation of these cameras. Learn more about this law.

Penalties/Fines
The Speed Camera fine is $40.00. This is a civil violation. No points will be issues against the vehicle's owner's driving record. Failure to pay the civil penalty, request a review of the violation by the Local Designee (Ombudsman), or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability which may result in refusal or suspension of the motor vehicle registration.

Camera Locations along I-83/Jones Falls Expressway?
There are 2 automated speed cameras in operation along the Jones Falls Expressway at the following locations:

Northbound I-83 at W. 41st Street
Southbound I-83 at W. 41st Street

On March 24, 2025, the 2 speed cameras located along northbound and southbound I-83 near the W. 41^st Street bridge will be moved to new locations along the expressway. The automated speed cameras will be installed at the following locations:

Northbound Jones Falls Expressway / I-83 at Smith Avenue
Southbound Jones Falls Expressway / I-83 at W. North Avenue

Automated citations will begin at these locations on March 24, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (Interstate 83/JFX)

How can speed cameras help?
Speed cameras have proven to be an effective means of decreasing speeding and improving safety. The City's main objective is to lower instances of speeding along the most dangerous stretches of the interstate in order to curb the number of deaths, injuries, and crashes that occur on this busy highway.

Where does the money go?
In compliance with state law, speed camera revenue will first be used to cover the operation of the I-83 camera system. Any remaining funds must be allocated to I-83 safety capital improvements and maintenance.

How many cameras will operate along I-83?
In compliance with state law, the City will operate no more than two traffic cameras along the expressway at any given time. The City has installed digital speed sentry signs throughout the corridor to provide motorists with feedback on their speeds in real-time and encourage compliance with posted speed limits.

How do I pay the fines?
Automated speed camera citations may be paid by following the instructions on the mailed document or click here to pay online.

How do I contest I-83 speeding tickets?
As with regular camera citations, motorists have the option to contact a local designee for a citation review, transfer the liability of the citation, or contest the citation in District Court before a judge. You may contest your citation in court by mailing a request at least 5 days before the due date on the front of your notice to:

Baltimore City Parking Fines
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

Apply to contest your citation in court. Be sure to enter your vehicle tag number or citation number, click on the citation, and then click on “Request a Trial” to begin the process.

How can you be sure the cameras are working correctly?
A daily self-test is performed by the photo enforcement vendor to ensure all components are working properly. Once complete, this information is then provided to the Department of Transportation ATVES Division for secondary assurance checks. In addition, all traffic cameras are audited by an outside vendor.

Baltimore City Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement Map