Government > Takoma Park Police Department > Traffic Enforcement

Traffic Enforcement

The Takoma Park Police Department regularly participates in a number of state-wide enforcement campaigns, such as the Chief’s Challenge, Respect Red, as well as various Back-to-School campaigns. Below you can find information about some of the parking/traffic laws of the City of Takoma Park, as well as Frequently Asked Questions about Parking Violation tickets and fines.

Unsafe Driving Report Line

The Takoma Park Police Department’s Traffic Complaint Hotline allows an individual to report another motorist’s dangerous or reckless actions when a police officer is not in the vicinity to take action.

For most traffic offenses, the police cannot issue a citation unless the violation is observed by the officer. The Traffic Complaint Hotline allows individuals to report the tag number and the activity of the motorist. After this information is received, a warning letter will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle by the police department.

What good does this do, you might ask?

Many times motorists who are driving inappropriately are not the registered owners of the vehicle they are operating. The vehicle may be owned by a parent, friend or rental company who may be able to have an impact on the dangerous driving behavior through sanctions other than the courts. In addition, merely knowing that someone observed the dangerous driving incident and was able to report it to the authorities is occasionally an effective deterrent to future similar behavior.

To report such a motorist, please contact the Traffic Complaint Hotline at 301-891-7101 ext. 5655, with the following information:

Tag Number
Date and Time
Location of Incident
Brief description of the behavior observed

For more information: Contact the Takoma Park Police Department, at 301-891-7102, or visit/write the Police Department at:

Takoma Park Police Department
7500 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, MD. 20912

The Traffic Stop and You

Understanding what is expected from both citizens and law enforcement improves communication, helps to reduce anxieties, and improves the public’s understanding about the need for traffic law enforcement.

If you are a motorist, here are some ways to improve your traffic stop experience:

Invoke the “Golden Rule” and treat the officer the way you would like to be treated.

Remember that you are required to cooperate with all reasonable requests that law enforcement personnel make.
If an officer signals for you to stop, remain calm and pull over safely.
Be prepared to produce your driver’s license, as well as your vehicle registration card.
Remain in the vehicle unless the officer tells you otherwise.
Keep your hands visible.
If you are stopped by a non-uniformed officer in an unmarked vehicle, you can ask the officer for identification.

City of Takoma Park Speed Limits

County and state data show the top six traffic violations leading to collisions are: failure to give full attention, to yield right of way, or to obey traffic signals; vehicles speeding too fast for driving conditions; following other vehicles too closely; and driving under the influence.

It is important to remember that the highest legal speed limit in the City is 35 miles per hour (mph). This is allowed only on New Hampshire Avenue and University Blvd. Most residential streets in Takoma Park are posted for 25 mph, with lower speeds required when posted or if driving conditions warrant. Sections of Highway 410 and Piney Branch Road allow a maximum of 30 mph.