Route 1 speed camera issues 25,000 tickets in first month
In its first month, the Route 1 speed camera north of Lewes issued 24,749 citations.
The camera is located at Red Mill Pond on the southbound side of Route 1 at the north end of the Minos Conaway Road construction zone. It issues tickets to anyone exceeding the 50 mph speed limit by 11 mph or more.
The first 21 days the camera was operating were considered a warning period; it officially went online Nov. 11. The nearly 25,000 citations all occurred between the start date and Dec. 12. Delaware Department of Transportation spokesman Charles “C.R.” McLeod said the fastest recorded speed so far was 103 mph.
Signage warning drivers of the speed camera sits on Route 1 in advance of the work zone along with radar speed signs.
Registered vehicle owners incurring a first offense will receive a base violation fee of $20 and an additional amount for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit of 50 mph.
For example, if the captured violation occurs at a speed of 61 mph, the speed violation is $20 plus an additional $11, and the assessment of other fees as set forth in Delaware Code makes for a total fine of $118. Fees for second and subsequent offenses are higher.
These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver's licenses.
McLeod said violations are still being processed, so there isn’t a total available for what the first month’s fines amount to monetarily.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
