Speed camera violations still high in second month

In its second month of operation, the speed camera on Route 1 near Red Mill Pond photographed more than 18,000 people exceeding 60 mph. 

While the number of citations is down from 25,000 in the first month, it remains quite high. 

“Considering that the department has numerous signs warning drivers of the use of the speed enforcement camera and that its use at this location has received extensive media coverage, it is surprising the number of drivers who continue to disregard the posted speed limit,” said Charles “C.R.” McLeod, director of community relations for the Delaware Department of Transportation. “We want people to know it’s there and to slow down. We hope that we will see the number of citations decline going forward as drivers recognize that this is an active speed enforcement area.”

The speed camera went online Nov. 11, following a 21-day warning period. The camera is located on the southbound lanes at the north end of the Minos Conaway Road work zone. 

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.

In the camera’s first month, it captured a vehicle traveling 103 mph. McLeod said that driver received a $562 fine. 

A portion of the fines collected goes to the Transportation Trust Fund, the Volunteer Ambulance Company Fund and the Fund to Combat Violent Crimes. The excess revenue collected as part of the program is received and managed by DelDOT, covering expenditures related to the program. McLeod said in the event that all expenditures related to the program are covered and excess revenue remains, that excess revenue is managed by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and may be used only for transportation safety purposes for education, enforcement, engineering or administrative expenses.

DelDOT does not own the camera. DelDOT’s vendor for the speed camera is Elovate, which owns, operates and maintains the camera equipment and citation/violation collection system. Elovate invoices DelDOT a monthly fixed fee per each automated speed enforcement device at a cost of $19,890 for work zone enforcement. This cost includes the enforcement device, initial deployment, placement, setup, repositioning, removal, calibration and required recalibrations, camera, communications, routine maintenance, and any and all supporting equipment or services.

McLeod said DelDOT did not budget or estimate a specific amount of revenue to be collected from the camera. 

“The intent of the program is not to generate revenue,” he said.

The Cape Gazette filed a Freedom of Information Act request for more in-depth information regarding the camera’s first month of operation. By law, DelDOT has 15 business days to respond. The Cape Gazette plans to publish another story once the FOIA responses are received.