FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
AUTOMATED RED
LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
Q. What is the
City of
A. Pedestrian collisions and right-angle
vehicle collisions at high speeds often result from running red lights. Studies
have shown that such collisions involve more risk of serious injury or death
than other kinds of collisions. In an effort to reduce these types of
accidents, the State of
From a review of a video
recording by an automated traffic camera it has been determined that, on the
date and time and at the location indicated on the front side of the notice,
your vehicle was facing a steady circular red signal when it failed to stop at
a clearly marked stop line or at any other stopping point described in the
ordinance.
If you were making a right
hand turn at the time of the incident, the videotape shows that you failed to
come to a complete stop before making the turn as required by Ordinance 17677.
State law provides that the
registered owner of a vehicle is presumed to have operated the vehicle at the
time an infraction was detected by an automated traffic safety camera unless
the registered owner overcomes the presumption by a statement, under oath, in
writing to the court or in testimony before the court. You may rebut the
presumption that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or sold, in
custody or control by some person other than the registered owner, in the case
of leasing or rental.
An infraction detected through the use of an automated red light camera is
a non-criminal offense for which you cannot go to jail. The penalty for this infraction is $75 and,
like a parking ticket, is not part of the violator’s driving record.
Therefore, a finding that the infraction was committed, either by payment or
after a hearing, will not be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety. However, failure
to respond to a Notice of Violation, failure to appear for a requested hearing,
or failure to pay a penalty imposed after a hearing will be reported to a
collection agency in accordance with applicable state and federal collection laws.
Q.
What if I am not the registered owner of the vehicle at the time of the
violation?
A. You
may submit a notarized affidavit if, prior to the violation, the alleged
vehicle involved was sold, reported stolen or you are a company in the business
of renting or leasing vehicles. You may submit a notarized affidavit, along
with the appropriate documentation, by mailing it to the
ü
Download
or print the form from www.violationinfo.com.
You must mail and return
it to the address below by the due date shown on the front of the Notice of
Violation.
Violation
Processing Center
Q.
What is the penalty? Are there any fees for late payments?
A. The red light penalty in
Q.
Can I receive citations for other offenses as a result of my Notice of
Violation?
A. No. Drivers who
receive Notice of Violations are cited for red light violations only.
Q. How do I pay my Notice of Violation?
Please note the City of
A. Your Payment Options:
ü
Pay Online: Logon to www.violationinfo.com
by
entering your notice number and PIN number shown in the red box on the right
front of your notice. Click the “Pay”
button.
There is a convenience fee.
ü
Pay by Mail: Send a check or
money order in
ü
Pay
by Phone: Call toll free at
1-866-790-4111 between
the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. There is a convenience fee.
ü
Pay in Person: You may pay
your penalty in person at Amarillo Municipal Court located at
Important: Your payment
must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your Notice of
Violation.
Q. 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 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.
Q. Can I view the images or video clip of the
violation?
A. The images and video are
available on the Internet at 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.
Q. How can I request a hearing?
A. You must sign the attached coupon and mail
it in the enclosed envelope. An administrative hearing will be scheduled and
you will be notified of the location, date and time of your hearing. Failure to
pay a civil penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission
of liability in the full amount of the civil penalty assessed in the notice of
violation and constitutes a waiver of the right to appeal under Ordinance No.
7091 of the City of Amarillo, Texas. If you are found liable at the administrative
hearing or you request a hearing and thereafter fail to appear at the time and
place of the hearing, you
will be liable for the amount of the penalty. If you are found liable for the civil penalty
after an administrative adjudication hearing, you shall pay the civil penalty
within 30 days of the hearing.
Q. Why are the cameras used?
A. 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.
Q. How do they work?
A. Each intersection
is outfitted with a high resolution high speed digital camera. The
cameras are activated by sensors which are located at the intersection. The cameras are only activated when a vehicle
is detected by the sensors after the light has turned red. The camera
takes two digital photos which document the violation. 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. City assigned officers approve and review
every violation before the Notice of Violation is issued. A Notice of Violation contains images of the
violation vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the
intersection, and the license plate.
Q. Are Red Light Cameras effective?
A. 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 intersection collisions.
Q.
If I am already in the intersection when a light turns red, will I get a Notice
of Violation?
A. No. Notices of
Violations are only issued when a vehicle enters the intersection AFTER the
light has turned red. If you enter the
intersection on a green or yellow light you will not be photographed by the
camera system.