August 20, 2026 – The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is correcting the implementation timeline originally announced for the School Zone Speed Camera Program. The August 7, 2026, news release incorrectly stated that the program would begin with a 15-day warning period on August 21, followed by the issuance of citations beginning September 7.

In accordance with St. Mary’s County Ordinance No. 2024-02, the program will begin with a 30-day warning period on August 24, 2026. During the warning period, motorists who meet the threshold for a violation will receive a warning notice with no monetary penalty. Citations will begin September 23, 2026.

The original release has been updated to reflect the correct warning period and implementation dates.

Original News Release:

LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND (August 7, 2026) – St. Mary’s County is launching a new photo enforcement program to encourage safer driving and reduce speeding, specifically in school zones where children are most vulnerable.

“The activation of school zone cameras is set to begin with a warning phase,” said Sheriff Steven Hall. “Our focus is protecting students and families by slowing down traffic near schools. Partnering with NovoaGlobal®, we are installing advanced photo enforcement cameras in school zones where speeding poses a threat.”

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency throughout the implementation of this program. While these cameras are in school zones, our goal is to encourage motorists to slow down throughout St. Mary’s County and make safe driving a daily habit.

School Zone Speed Camera Locations

The first deployment phase includes six (6) systems at the following locations:

• Mechanicsville Elementary School – SB Rt. 5 (Three Notch Rd)
• Banneker Elementary School – NB Rt. 5 (Point Lookout Rd)
• Oakville Elementary School – NB Rt. 235 (Three Notch Rd)
• Greenview Knolls Elementary School – NB Rt. 237 (Chancellor’s Run Rd)
• Great Mills High School – EB Rt. 246 (Great Mills Rd)
• Spring Ridge Middle School – NB Rt. 235 (Three Notch Rd)

Fines for School Zone Speeding

Maryland law requires a vehicle to be traveling at least 12 mph over the posted speed limit to trigger a violation. Violators will be subject to a $40 civil fine.

Implementation Timeline

To give motorists time to adjust their driving habits, the County is implementing a 30-day warning period:

• Warning Period: Begins August 24, 2026. During this period, drivers will receive a notice by mail marked "WARNING" with no monetary penalty.
• Full Activation: Begins September 23, 2026. Citations with fines will be issued for violations recorded on or after this date.

Year-Round Operation

Speed cameras operate year-round, including holidays and school breaks, Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., in accordance with Maryland law. Motorists are encouraged to remain attentive, obey posted speed limits, and drive safely whenever traveling through designated school zones.

The Need for Safety Enforcement

Traffic studies in St. Mary’s County show that physical signage and flashing beacons alone have not been enough to curb dangerous speeding on major corridors like Route 5 and Route 235 during school hours. By adopting Ordinance No. 2024-02, the County is taking a proactive approach to help ensure safety.

All potential violations are reviewed by an authorized employee of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office before a Notice of Violation is mailed. These are civil violations and will not result in points on a driver's license or be reported to insurance companies.

A Commitment to Safety and Transparency

This safety initiative supports the County’s commitment to reducing preventable crashes. National data shows that speeding is a major factor in pedestrian fatalities, and reducing vehicle speeds in school zones significantly increases the likelihood of survival in the event of a collision.

“We want St. Mary’s to be a community where no life is lost to speeding, especially in our school zones,” said Sheriff Hall. “This program is a critical step toward that goal. We are committed to being transparent throughout this process and keeping our community informed as the program moves forward.”

The monitoring system captures photos and videos of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. Registered vehicle owners can review violation evidence online at www.zerofatality.com.

To promote transparency and keep the public informed, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will regularly share accurate, up-to-date information about school zone speed camera locations and program updates on its official social media accounts on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Residents are encouraged to follow the Sheriff's Office on these platforms for the latest and accurate information.

For more information about the School Zone Speed Camera Program, visit the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office website at www.firstsheriff.com/special-operations/school-zone-speed-camera-program.