More county roads could soon qualify for speed cameras after the County Council unanimously approved a new law Tuesday.
Expedited Bill 17-26 lets the county place cameras in school zones with 20 mph speed limits. It also covers highways identified as high risk for crashes.
County officials said the measure broadens the list of eligible locations but does not automatically add new cameras.
Officials also addressed surveillance concerns about Flock Safety, a license plate reader company under national scrutiny.
“Montgomery County has no partnership with Flock as a company, as a provider,” said Earl Stoddard of the Office of the County Executive. He added the county does not connect privately owned Flock cameras to county systems.
Councilmember Evan Glass raised the issue after residents asked whether the county participates in the Flock network.
Handling county camera data
Speed cameras read license plates to issue tickets. Stoddard said the county does not check those plates against police hot lists. Investigators need an internal subpoena to request plate images from traffic cameras.
Chris Tippery directs the police department’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit. He said only a few county employees can access license plate information. The county has not turned on automated license plate reader functions, Tippery said.
What the bill changes
“We want our kids to be safe when walking to and from school,” said Glass, who chairs the Transportation and Environment Committee.
The state granted the county authority for cameras on high-risk highways in 2025. County Executive Marc Elrich asked the council to fast-track the county version. Passing it now lets the county start work with the state on its most dangerous corridors. Police can also begin permits and post new camera locations.
The county moves cameras based on speed data. Stoddard said the county could add cameras if future traffic data supports it. Last year, the county signed a contract with Vitronic allowing up to 140 additional speed cameras and 76 red light cameras.
County officials said crash and speed data will continue to guide camera placement. The county’s Vision Zero program reports high-injury corridors make up just 3% of non-interstate road miles. Those corridors account for 41% of serious and fatal crashes. Serious and fatal crashes on those roads fell 29% in fiscal 2025 compared with 2015 to 2019.
Residents waiting on answers
Councilmember Andrew Friedson questioned why River Road and other District 1 corridors were absent from the new list. Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland said River Road already qualified for speed camera enforcement under existing law.
Friedson raised a constituent’s two-year request for a camera on River Road near Springfield.
“If the answer’s no, the answer’s no. But people should get an answer,” Friedson said.
Tippery said the county shares speed study results with residents when a request falls short.
Councilmember Dawn Luedtke pressed for action on Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood. Tippery said the county just reinstalled a red light camera there. A speed camera already runs on Crabbs Branch.
