FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
AUTOMATED RED LIGHT
AND SPEED
CAMERA ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM
What is a Red Light Camera Enforcement
Program?
The Council of the City of New Orleans
has amended its Code of the City to install and operate an Automated Traffic Enforcement
System within the city to provide for enforcement and penalties of traffic
signal and speed limit violations. This is a traffic safety program in which a
city uses a state-of-the-art digital camera and violation detection system
installed at intersections for the purpose of decreasing the number of
red-light runners and reducing speed limits.
Why are they used?
According to the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety red light running is a leading cause of urban crashes and
often causes injury and death. Cities install the system to improve public
safety by deterring red light running.
What is a red light violation?
A red light violation occurs when a
vehicle crosses the legal violation point and proceeds through the intersection
after the traffic light has turned red. It is not a violation if the vehicle
has entered the intersection prior to the signal turning red (such as to
complete a left hand turn).
How do Red Light cameras work?
Each intersection is outfitted with a
high resolution high speed digital camera. The cameras are activated by sensors
which are located at the intersection and are only activated when a vehicle is
detected by the sensors after the light has turned red. The cameras take two
digital photos which document the violation and are mailed with a citation to
the registered owner of the vehicle. The program operates 24 hours a day seven
days a week and operates in all weather conditions. The system is only
activated when a vehicle runs a red light and all intersections with red light
cameras are clearly marked with photo enforcement signs. City assigned officers
review every violation before the citation is issued. Citations contain images
of the violation vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the
intersection and the license plate.
Are Red Light Cameras effective?
Yes. Red light cameras have been
proven to be effective in reducing red light violations and right-angle
crashes. Cities using these systems consistently report safer roads with fewer
intersections collisions.
If I am already in the intersection when
a light turns red, will I get a citation?
No. Citations are only issued when a
vehicle enters the intersection AFTER the light has turned red. If you enter
the intersection a green or yellow light you will not be photographed by the
camera system.
Who receives the citation?
Citations are mailed to the registered
owner of the vehicle.
What
is the amount of the Red-Light fine?
The fine for a Red-Light camera violation in New Orleans
is $105.00, plus an administrative fee of $30.00, for a total of $135.00.
Pursuant to Section 154-1703 of the Code of Ordinances,
if you fail to timely pay your civil penalty and administrative fee or to
timely challenge liability, you will be subject to a late payment penalty of
$75.00 in addition to your original violation penalties.
How do the Speed Cameras Work?
The intersection speed cameras are the
same units that record red light violations. However they are specially programmed
to also register the speed of a vehicle as it enters the intersection. If the
speed of the vehicle is excessive, the cameras will initiate and record the
speed violation.
What is the amount of the Speed fine?
Fines for speed
violations are tiered based on how many miles per hour the violator is
traveling over the posted speed:
Speed Over Authorized Speed Limit Civil
Penalty Administrative Fee Total
1 through 9
mph $45 $30 $75
10 through
14 mph $80 $30 $110
15 through
20 mph $130 $30 $160
Greater than
20 mpg $205 $30 $235
Pursuant to Section 154-1703 of the
Code of Ordinances, if you fail to timely pay your civil penalty and
administrative fee or to timely challenge liability, you will be subject to a
late payment penalty of $75.00 in addition to your original violation
penalties.
How can I contest this citation?
To request a hearing, please follow
the instructions on your Notice of Violation. You will receive notification by
mail of the date, time, and location of your scheduled hearing. Once you have
requested a hearing, if you have not received a notification of court date, you
can call the court to verify the hearing request was received and to obtain the
date, time, and location.
If at the time of the
violation, your vehicle was Sold or Stolen, you may complete an Affirmation of
Non- Liability and submit it at your hearing. You may download the form at www.ViolationInfo.com. To submit the form, you will need the below
information:
a) If the vehicle was
sold, a copy of the notarized bill-of-sale; or
b) If the vehicle or
plate was stolen, a copy of the police report
How do I pay my fine?
·
Payment Online: The
fastest and easiest way to pay your Notice is to pay online. Go to
www.ViolationInfo.com and log on with
your Notice # and PIN shown in the red box on the front of your notice. Click
the Pay button. There is a convenience fee.
·
Payment by Phone:
Call 504-658-8082 between 9:00 AM -
5:00 PM Central Time. There is a
convenience fee.
·
Payment by Mail: Mail
your check or money order (payable to the City of New Orleans) in the envelope
provided with the coupon at the bottom of your notice, to the address on the
reverse side of the notice. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to put the Notice # (see
reverse) on the face of your payment. If you have any questions, please call
Customer Service at 504-658-8082.
• Payment
in Person: You may pay in person at City
Hall, Administrative Hearing Center, 1300 Perdido
Street, 1st Floor, Room 1W09, New Orleans,
LA 70112 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or at Clairborne Auto Pound from 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM, Sunday
through Saturday at 400 North Clairborne Avenue, New
Orleans, LA 70112.
Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the
front of your Notice of Violation.
What if I don’t pay the civil penalty?
Failure to respond within 30 days of the
issuance of the Delinquent Notice will cause this matter to be submitted to a
professional collection agency in accordance with applicable state and federal
collection laws and a $75.00 penalty will be added to the fine amount.
What is the Refund Policy?
A refund check may be issued under the
following circumstances:
·
Duplicate
or overpayment of a Notice of Violation
·
Overpayment
of the Notice of Violation as a result of a Hearing
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.
Can I receive citations for other
offenses as a result of my red light camera citation?
No. Drivers who receive photo red
light citations are cited for red light violations only.
Can I view the images or video clip of
the violation?
The images and video are available on
the Internet at www.ViolationInfo.com. To log on to the site, you must enter
the Notice # and the PIN located at the top right of your Notice of Violation.
Where
are cameras located?
QUESTIONS:
If you have any questions regarding
payments please contact Customer Service at 504-658-8082.