Delaware Strategic Highway Safety Plan

Electronic Speed Safety Program

House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 94 was enacted by the 152^nd General Assembly and signed into law by Governor John Carney on June 30, 2023 establishing an Electronic Speed Monitoring System to assist the State, counties, and municipalities in the enforcement of speed limits. This act was codified under Title 21, § 4170A of the Delaware Code. As such, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is creating the Electronic Speed Safety Program (ESSP) to fulfill the requirements of this new law.

The ESSP will provide automated speed enforcement in a work zone, or in a residence district in either New Castle County or a municipality of the state. ESSP enforcement zones within work zones will be enforced by the Delaware State Police. ESSP enforcement zones in a residence district in either New Castle County or a municipality will be enforced by the police agency with jurisdiction over the road.

The ESSP aims to improve roadway safety by enforcing speed limits on roadways within work zones and residential areas. The program was put into place to provide an additional tool for police to enforce speed limits when officer availability and safety, among other factors, hinders traditional speed enforcement activities.

For a violation to occur, a motor vehicle must exceed the posted speed limit by 11 miles per hour or more. The ESSP imposes only civil penalties for violations and does not impose points on the owner or operator’s license, and insurance companies are not informed about the violation.

THE ELECTRONIC SPEED SAFETY PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. AS REQUIRED BY LAW, DELDOT IS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMALIZING THE CORRESPONDING REGULATIONS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.

THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT TAKING INDIVIDUAL ELECTRONIC ENFORCEMENT LOCATION REQUESTS AT THIS TIME. A FORMAL REQUEST PROCESS WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND IMPLEMENTED AS PART OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM’S DEVELOPMENT.