In response to complaints of speeding in school zones and in an effort to enhance safety for children and pedestrians near schools, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office introduced an Automated School Zone Speed Enforcement program in July 2012.

The CCSO operates six mobile speed cameras, which are rotated among the following locations:

  • Marshall Corner Road at Dr. James Craik Elementary School
  • Marshall Corner Road at Maurice J. McDonough High School
  • Smallwood Drive at William B. Wade Elementary School
  • Poplar Hill Road at Malcolm Elementary School
  • Route 5 near Billingsley Road, in front of Grace Christian Academy of Maryland
  • Leonardtown Road at Thomas Stone High School
  • Indian Head Highway at General Smallwood Middle School
  • Berry Road at Berry Elementary School
  • Berry Road at Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School
  • Middletown Road at Westlake High School
  • Piney Church Road at St. Charles High School
  • Oliver’s Shop Road at T.C. Martin Elementary School
  • Livingston Road at J.C. Parks Elementary School
  • Indian Head Highway at Indian Head Elementary School
  • Lancaster Circle at Barnhart Elementary School
  • St. Georges Drive at Mary Neal Elementary School
  • Davis Road at Theodore G. Davis Middle School
  • Ironsides Road at Mt. Hope Elementary School
  • Chicamuxen Road at Lackey High School
  • Rock Point Road at Piccowaxen Middle School
  • Poplar Hill Road at St. Peter’s Church
  • Billingsley Road at Billingsley Elementary School

The cameras operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for the camera at Wade Elementary School, which operates from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cameras operate year round, including during holidays and the summertime.

Violators must be traveling at least 12 mph over the posted speed limit for the cameras to activate. The citations are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and carry a $40 fine and no points. The citations are not reported to insurance companies. The vehicle owner may elect to pay the fine or contest the citation in court. If the vehicle owner fails to pay the fine or appear in court, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will be notified and the vehicle’s registration will be flagged, preventing the renewal of its registration plates.

The CCSO reviews all photographs before issuing a citation.

The speed cameras use LASER technology to detect speeding vehicles and capture a series of digital images of the vehicle. The cameras record the date, time, location and speed the vehicle is traveling.

As a courtesy and in an effort to prevent violations, the CCSO has placed notification signs at all speed camera locations. Additionally, the locations of the cameras are posted weekly on the CCSO Facebook page.

How to Pay a Citation

Payments may be made in person at the Charles County Treasurer’s Office located at 3670 Leonardtown Road, Suite 105, in Waldorf. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

Payments may also be mailed to:

Charles County Treasurer’s Office
Speed Camera Citations
PO Box 1660
Waldorf, MD 20604-1660

Additionally, payments may be made online at the Charles County Government website.

Whom to Call

If you have questions about paying a fine or about a citation, or if you believe you were issued a citation in error, call the CCSO at 301-932-3519.

How Sites Are Chosen

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office will suggest sites to the contractor. The contractor will study the site and confirm a red light running issue and speeding issue exists.

The following information is used to select red light & speed camera locations.

The locations are selected by using statistical information and the following factors considered in determining placement are:

  • Number of accidents at the intersection or roadway
  • Severity of the accidents
  • Type of accident
  • Type of intersection control, and or school zone
  • Citizen complaints of speeding in the school zone
  • Construction standards and additional plans for intersection and road reconfiguration

Adding a camera is the final solution after other engineering measures have been attempted.

This information is submitted to the county commissioners for their approval prior to any construction beginning.