On Tuesday, MCPD installed two bright blue, bullet-resistant speed cameras at high-risk intersections in Burtonsville. The bright colors are meant to give drivers extra visibility and brake distance before passing through the monitored zone.
Countywide, 140 new battery-operated speed cameras have been installed at busy intersections and school zones. Six of these cameras are large geometric designs, built with bullet-proof material intended to prevent vandalism, according to MCPD. The camera placements are a part of Vision Zero, the county’s traffic safety program.
Since practicing Vision Zero, Montgomery County has reported an 11% decrease in serious and fatal crashes, according to the police department.
Drivers caught traveling 12 to 15 mph over the speed limit face a $40 fine. Drivers traveling 16 to 19 mph over the speed limit face a $70 fine. Fines increase to $120 for speeds 20 to 29 mph over the limit, $230 for 30 to 39 mph over and $425 for speeds 40 mph or more above the limit.
The new colorful speed cameras were initially painted by children on MCPD’s Take Your Child to Work Day, who came back this week to embellish the camera designs with brightly colored safety messages and symbols to catch drivers’ attention.
Burtonsville: a new brightly colored, bullet-proof automated speed cameras were installed May 25, 2026 across the county. Photo Courtesy: Montgomery County Department of Police
While the police department’s messaging is focused on road safety, some residents replied to new speed camera announcement with skepticism.
On social media community members questioning the cameras’ impact. Under MCPD’s X post announcing the 140 new cameras, comments showed dismay:
MCPD hasn’t responded to the comments.
Montgomery County is expanding automated speed enforcement with new highly visible mobile cameras placed in high-risk areas like school zones and crash-prone roads. Two of these cameras were painted by children who attended MCPD’s Take Your Child to Work Day, adding a creative… pic.twitter.com/EBs0wLMsKB
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) May 26, 2026
