Frequently Asked Questions
Intersection Safety Program
Why has the
Intersection Safety Program been implemented?
According to the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety, annually nearly 2 million crashes occur in intersections.
In 2005, red light running resulted in 800 fatalities and over 165,000
injuries.
It is believed that an
Intersection Safety Program will reduce the number of red light crashes and
injuries associated with such crashes. The purpose of this program is to
increase traffic safety. The goal of the program is to reduce red light running
violations, red light crashes, and red light injury crashes without impacting
City/Town funds.
What is a red
light running violation?
A vehicle that proceeds into an
intersection equipped with a photographic traffic control monitoring system
when the traffic control signal for that vehicle’s direction of travel is
emitting a steady red signal is in violation of Florida Statutes §§ 316.0083,
316.074(1) and 316.075(1)(c)1. When a motorist receives a Notice of Violation,
the issuing Police Department/Sheriff’s Office has determined that the vehicle
entered an intersection by entering the crosswalk on the near side of an
intersection when the traffic control signal, for the direction in which the
vehicle was traveling, was emitting a steady red signal. Motorists already in
the intersection when the signal changes to red, when waiting to turn for
example, are not considered red light violators.
Why did I receive
this Notice of Violation?
Based upon images captured by the
automated system, your vehicle was determined to have failed to comply with a
steady red signal. As the owner of the vehicle, the Notice of Violation is
mailed to you. For every violation captured by the cameras, the images and
video are reviewed and approved by the Police Department/Sheriff Office before
a Notice of Violation is issued and mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
If I am in the
intersection when the light is yellow and the light changes to red, will I
receive a Notice of Violation/Infraction?
No.
The automated camera system only becomes active once the red light is showing.
It will not capture a vehicle if the vehicle enters the intersection prior to
the light changing to red. If you entered the intersection on yellow, it is
legal to clear the intersection if the light turned red while you were still in
the intersection.
What if I am not the driver/owner of the vehicle at the time
of the violation?
As the registered owner of the
vehicle, you are deemed responsible for the violation and the payment the
penalty unless, in compliance with Florida Statute § 316.0083(1)(d)1.a-d, you establish by a sworn affidavit that a
statutory exemption applies. The exemptions are that the motor vehicle: (a)
passed through the intersection in order to yield the right-of-way to an
emergency vehicle or as part of a funeral procession; (b) passed through the
intersection at the direction of a law enforcement officer; (c) was, at the
time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person; or
(d) a UTC was issued by a law enforcement officer to the driver of the motor
vehicle for the violation of Florida Statute § 316.074(1) and § 316.075(1)(c)1
stated in this Notice. The affidavit must be sworn before a notary public or
other person authorized to administer oaths.
If
you assert that the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of another
person, you must provide the name, address, date of birth, and, if
known, the driver’s license number of the person who leased, rented, or
otherwise had care, custody, or control of the vehicle at the time of the
violation. Acceptance of this assertion by the Police Department/Sheriff Office
will result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation to the person named in the
affidavit. If the vehicle was stolen, then the affidavit must include a
copy of a police report showing the vehicle to have been stolen. If you assert
that a UTC was issued by a law enforcement officer for the violation of Florida
Statute § 316.074(1) and 316.075(1)(c)1 stated in the
notice, then you must include the serial number of the UTC. For faster
processing, you may, but are not required to, include a copy of the UTC.
You
may download and print the Affidavit of Non-Responsibility form from the
links at the bottom of the page on www.ViolationInfo.com.
What is the
amount of the fine? Is there a late fee?
The
owner of a motor vehicle is liable for payment of a statutory penalty of $158.00
for the Notice of Violation. There are no points assessed for this Notice of
Violation. If the owner of the vehicle does not pay the statutory penalty,
request a hearing, or submit an affidavit by the due date listed on the Notice
of Violation, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued.
What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation?
If
you fail to respond with a payment, submit an affidavit, or schedule a hearing,
a Uniform Traffic Citation (“UTC”) will be issued at a higher fine amount. Upon
issuance of a UTC, you shall have the remedies specified in Florida Statute §
318.14, which include the right to have a hearing before a designated official,
who shall determine whether a violation was committed. If the official
concludes that no violation was committed, no costs or penalties are imposed.
If the official concludes that a violation was committed, the official may
impose an additional civil penalty not to exceed $500 and court fees and costs.
I have received a UTC, may I submit an affidavit?
Yes, you may submit an affidavit. You must download the Post UTC Affidavit from the links at the bottom of the page on www.ViolationInfo.com. The Post UTC
Affidavit must be mailed to the Police Department/Sheriff Office. Submission of
an affidavit does not guarantee a dismissal of the UTC. You may call Customer
Service at 1-866-225-8875 ten (10) days after submission to check on status.
Will I receive any points on my driving record for this
violation?
No, this is a non-criminal
infraction that is not reported to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
Will my insurance rates be affected?
No, this is a non-criminal
infraction and is not reported to any insurance agencies.
Will the red
light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No.
A violation of Florida Statutes §§ 316.0083, 316.074(1) and 316.075(1)(c)1 is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the
vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is
no need to identify the driver and therefore, no need to capture the image of
the driver.
Is this only a revenue generating program?
This is a safety program. Automated safety systems
have been shown to reduce red light violations and intersection crashes. Numerous
studies throughout the U.S. and worldwide, as well as the experience of many
other cities, indicate significant decreases in red light running violations
and collisions after cameras were installed. Oftentimes, a spill-over effect
results from automated enforcement: other intersections not monitored by
automated enforcement also see a decrease in violations and accidents because
of the presence of enforcement in other areas of the community.
What if I was issued a citation
from an officer for the same offense?
The citation issued by a police
officer takes precedence over the Notice of Violation. You must submit an
affidavit with the serial number of the UTC that you received for violation of
Florida Statutes §§ 316.074(1) and 316.075(1)(c)1. For
faster processing of the affidavit, you can include
a copy of the UTC.
How much time do
I have to pay my Notice of Violation?
It is recommended the completed
signed and notarized affidavit or payment be received prior to the due date
specified on the front page of this notice to be appropriately processed.
If you have questions regarding payments please send
an email to Customer Service at info@violationinfo.com.
How can I pay my fine?
ONLINE PAYMENT: The fastest and easiest way to pay your Notice is to
pay online. Go to www.ViolationInfo.com
and logon with your Notice # and PIN
shown in the red box on the front of this notice. Click the Pay button. There
is a convenience/service fee for this service.
PAYMENT BY PHONE: Call toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-866-225-8875.
There is a convenience/service fee for this service.
PAYMENT BY MAIL: Mail your check or money order (payable to the city or town) in the
enclosed envelope with the coupon printed at the bottom of the reverse side of
your notice. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to put the Notice # on the face of your
payment. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at
info@violationinfo.com.
What is the Refund Policy?
A refund
check may be issued under the following circumstances:
If you feel as though you
are entitled to a refund, please submit your request on the Red Light Refund Form
Send the completed form to the address specified at the top of the form.
I have received multiple Notices of Violation; do I have
to send in a payment for each?
If you have multiple violations
in one city you may send one check with the individual coupons enclosed and
the notice numbers written on the check.
If you have multiple violations
in different cities you must send a separate check for each violation.
If you send one check for multiple violations that occurred in different cities
your check will be rejected and returned to you.
What if my check
is returned?
If payment is not received by the due date of the
Notice of Violation, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued at a higher
cost.
Can I make
payments in installments or set up a payment plan?
Payment plans are not
available at this time.
I paid the violation; why did I receive another notice?
The notice you just
received could be for additional violations or it could be a UTC which is now a
past due notice. If it is a past due notice, chances are that your payment and
the notice crossed in the mail. It can take as many as 5 business days to show
in the system once the payment is mailed. Call 1-866-225-8875 to confirm that
your payment was received.
Do I have to pay my fine the day of the hearing?
You must pay the full
fine amount within 30 days of a liable judgment.
I do not believe I ran a red light. Where can I go to view my
images and video?
You can view your
images on any computer with an Internet connection. Log on to www.ViolationInfo.com.
To log on to the site you must enter the Notice Number and the PIN Number
located at the top right of your Notice of Violation. If you do not have
internet access you may view your images at your local public library.
I don’t believe I ran a red light and want to discuss my case with
someone.
If you choose to
appear before an official of the county court or plead not guilty, you can
request a hearing by following the instructions on the Notice of Violation.
How much do I have to pay for a Hearing?
A person who is found liable
after a Notice of Violation hearing can be liable for court costs
and fees not to exceed $250, in addition to the amount of the civil penalty
assessed for the violation.
A person who is found
liable after a Uniform Traffic Citation hearing can be liable for
an additional penalty, courts costs and fees not to exceed $500, in addition to
the amount of the civil penalty assessed for the violation.
Can I schedule a hearing?
Yes, you can schedule a
hearing. If you wish to have a hearing after the issuance of a Notice of
Violation (“NOV”), print and sign your name on the hearing request coupon
located on the back of the NOV, place it in the included envelope, and mail it
to the address located on the front of the coupon. Once a hearing has been
scheduled you will be notified of the location, date, and time.
If you wish to have a hearing after the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Citation (“UTC”)
follow the instructions found on the UTC.
Can I make a hearing request over the phone?
No.
Can someone other than me attend the hearing?
Only you or your legal
counsel may appear at a hearing.
Is there more than one place that I can attend my hearing?
No.
Can I bring a lawyer to the hearing with me?
Yes.
How do I know that these violations are valid?
Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by a
Traffic Safety Camera. You can review your images and video of the actual
occurrence online. The images and video were reviewed by several qualified technicians
and finally by the Police Department/Sheriff Office before the alleged civil
infraction was affirmed and mailed to you as the registered owner or identified
driver.
What company provides the red light camera program?
The City/Town has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. to provide the Intersection Safety Program. ATS installs and maintains all equipment related to this program and performs the initial processing for all violations captured by the equipment.