RED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM INFORMATION

Why did the City of Fort Worth implement the Automated Red-Light Enforcement Program?

The goal of the program is simple; reduce red-light running violations, red-light crashes, and red-light injury crashes.

Texas ranked #2 in red-light crash fatalities in 2011. Nationally, red-light running resulted in 714 fatalities and 118,000 injuries in 2011 in the United States according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. An Institute review of international red light camera studies concluded that cameras lower red-light violations by 40-50 percent and reduce injury crashes by 25-30 percent.

Who administers the red-light camera program in Fort Worth?

The City of Fort Worth administers the program and contracts with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) for equipment and process support.

How does an intersection safety camera work?

First image:

The image is captured from the rear approach showing the scene of the violation, including the back of the violating vehicle in front of the stop line, AND one or more visible red light signals.

Second image:

The image is captured from the rear approach showing the scene of the violation, including the back of the violating vehicle after the rear axle has crossed the stop line, and the vehicle has illegally entered the intersection, one or more visible red light signals, AND a clear image of the license plate of the offending vehicle.

License plate close-up:

A magnified "crop" of the license plate is created from one of the two images for easy viewing. At some intersections, a 3-D radar device is utilized to sense, track and measure vehicles approaching the intersection to anticipate a red-light violation.

Where are the automated red-light cameras located?

Cameras are installed at 43 signalized intersections based on crash and violation statistics compiled by the City of Fort Worth. Each intersection is clearly marked with signs.

Intersections in the city equipped with red light camera systems are:

· E. Long Ave. at Deen Rd.

· Eastchase Pkwy. at Meadowbrook Blvd.

· N.W. 25^th St. at Clinton Ave.

· S. Hulen St. at S.W. Loop 820 Service Rd.

· Bryant Irvin Rd. at S.W. Loop 820 Service Rd.

· W. Belknap St. at N. Henderson St.

· E. Loop 820 Service Rd. at Randol Mill Rd.

· N. University Dr. at White Settlement Rd.

· S. Hulen St. at S. Bellaire Dr.

· N. Beach St. at Western Center Blvd.

· S. Beach St. at Scott Ave.

· Trinity Blvd. at State Hwy. 360 Service Rd.

· N. Main St. at N.W. 28^th St.

· Trinity Blvd. at Precinct Line Rd.

· Sycamore School Rd. at Crowley Rd.

· McCart Ave. at Westcreek Dr.

· Alta Mere Dr. at Calmont Ave.

· E. Rosedale St. at S. Handley Dr.

· W. Freeway Service Rd. at Ashland Ave.

· S.W. Loop 820 Service Rd. at Granbury Rd.

· E. Rosedale St. at S. Freeway Service Rd.

· Sycamore School Rd. at McCart Ave.

· N.E. 28^th St. at Decatur Ave.

· Bryant Irvin Rd. at W. Vickery Blvd.

· McCart Ave. at Altamesa Blvd.

· W. Weatherford St. at Houston St.

· Alta Mere Dr. at Camp Bowie West Blvd.

· E. Allen Ave. at S. Freeway Service Rd.

· S. Freeway Service Rd. at E. Seminary Dr.

· S. Hulen St. at Overton Ridge Blvd.

· E. Lancaster Ave. at S. Riverside Dr.

· Granbury Rd. at S. Hulen St.

· E. Lancaster Ave. at Sandy Ln.

· Farm To Market Rd. 157 at Trinity Blvd.

· Crowley Rd. at S.W. Loop 820 Service Rd.

· S. Freeway Service Rd. @ W. Rendon-Crowley Rd.

· 8^th Ave. at Elizabeth Blvd.

· Trail Lake Dr. at S.W. Loop 820 Service Rd.

· N. Beach St. at E. Long Ave.

· E. Berry St. at S. Freeway Service Rd.

· W. Berry St. at Hemphill St.

· Camp Bowie Blvd. at Westridge Ave.

· S. Freeway Service Rd. at Sycamore School Rd.

What is a red-light running violation?

The Texas Transportation Code 544.007(d) defines a violation as a vehicle facing a steady red signal and crossing the stop line. While a right turn on red is legal, it must be preceded with a full stop.

If I am in the intersection when the light is yellow and the light changes to red, will I receive a notice of violation?

No. The automated system only becomes active when the traffic signal is red. It does not capture a vehicle if the vehicle enters the intersection prior to the light changing to red. If a vehicle enters the intersection on yellow, it is legal to clear the intersection if the light turns red while traveling through the intersection.

Why did I receive this notice of violation?

Based upon images captured by the automated system, a vehicle registered to you was determined to have committed a red-light violation. As the registered owner of the vehicle, the notice of violation was issued to you.

Will the red-light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?

No. The violation is a civil matter against the registered owner of the vehicle. Like a parking ticket, there is no need to photograph the driver.

Will I receive any points on my driving record for this violation?

No. The civil penalty is not recorded on the registered owner’s driving record.

Will my insurance rates be affected?

No. The civil penalty does not affect your insurance.

Will an arrest warrant be issued?

No. An arrest warrant is not issued since this is a civil matter and not a criminal offense. However, unpaid fines may prohibit the registration of a vehicle.

What if I was issued a citation from an officer for the same violation?

The citation issued by a police officer takes precedence over a notice of violation. Contact the ATS customer service line, 866-790-4111, to arrange for the citation to be reviewed by ATS. Applicable notices of violation will be dismissed.

How do I know these violations are valid?

Images of your vehicle were captured by a secure system. The images and video of the violation may also be viewed online at www.ViolationInfo.com. All images and video are double checked (by ATS technicians and City of Fort Worth Police staff) before violations are mailed.

What happens if I ignore the notice of violation?

A $25 late fee is assessed to all fines not paid within 30 days of notice. All violations 90-days old will be given to the state with a request to hold registration renewals.

How much is the civil penalty?

The civil penalty is $75 for each violation.

How much time do I have to pay my notice of violation?

The civil penalty must be paid within 45 days of notice. This due date appears on the top right and bottom right of the notice of violation. A late fee of $25 will be assessed if the penalty is not paid by the due date.

Can I get an extension or set up a payment plan?

No. Extensions and payment plans are not available.

I have received multiple notices of violation. Do I have to send in a separate payment for each notice?

No. You may pay all at once. However, payment coupons for each notice of violation must be included with payment. For example, if you received three violation notices, you may send one check with three coupons and each notice number written on the check.

My payment has already been sent. Will I still be charged a late fee?

Maybe. Late fees may be assessed if payment is not RECEIVED by the due date. Please mail payment at least 10 days before the due date. Other payment options that do not require as much lead time include Visa, MasterCard or e-check over the telephone (1-866-790-4111) or online at www.ViolationInfo.com.

I paid the violation. Why did I receive another notice?

You may be receiving a new notice or it could be a delinquent notice. If it is a delinquent notice, chances are payment and the notice crossed in the mail. It can take up to 10 business days to reach the office and be credited to the violation. If payment was RECEIVED after the due date, a $25 late fee will be added. Call 1-866-790-4111 to confirm the payment was received.

What if my check bounces?

A returned check fee of $25 is assessed for returned checks in addition to any late fees and the original civil penalty amount. A letter detailing the amount due is mailed to the owner of the vehicle.

What payment options are available?

There are four ways to pay notices of violation:

· Pay Online:

Log on to www.ViolationInfo.com by entering the notice number and PIN shown in the red box on the front right of the notice. Click the pay button. There is a convenience fee of $4 that is assessed at the time of payment.

· Pay by Mail:

Mail a check or money order (payable to the City of Fort Worth) along with the coupon printed at the bottom of the notice. The mailing address is:

City of Fort Worth, Texas
Automated Red-Light Enforcement
P.O. Box 742503
Cincinnati, OH 45274-2503

· Pay by Phone:

Call toll-free 1-866-790-4111.  There is a convenience fee of $4 that is assessed at the time of payment.

· Pay in Person:

You may pay in person at Fort Worth City Hall on the First Floor, North Lobby at 200 Texas Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Payments are accepted at the Lower Level Cashier’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash, credit/debit card, or check/money order are accepted. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the City of Fort Worth. No convenience fee is assessed at the time of payment.

CONTEST THE NOTICE (HEARINGS AND APPEALS)

I do not believe I ran a red light. How can I view the images and video?

Log on to www.ViolationInfo.com. Enter the notice number and the PIN located at the top right of the notice of violation. If you do not have Internet access, you may visit Fort Worth City Hall, Automated Red-Light Enforcement, Lower Level Cashier’s Office, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, to view the images and video. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How do I contest the notice of violation?

The vehicle owner has the right to contest the civil penalty by requesting, in writing, an administrative hearing no later than the due date. The vehicle owner must request an administrative hearing by signing the coupon on the back of the notice of violation and mailing it so it is received no later than the due date on the notice. The vehicle owner is notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing. All hearings are held in Fort Worth City Hall on the First Floor, North Lobby at 200 Texas Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Hearings are held Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and usually take 10 minutes to conduct.

If the hearing officer renders a not liable decision, no fine is assessed. If found liable or if a hearing is requested but you fail to appear, the fine remains in place. An appeal may be filed no later than 30-days after the hearing. All appeals are held in Fort Worth Municipal Court.

What is an administrative hearing?

An administrative hearing is an opportunity to appear before a city-appointed hearing officer and discuss the circumstances surrounding the notice of violation. This hearing will determine whether or not the vehicle owner is liable for the civil penalty.

Is there an extra fee for an administrative hearing?

No. There is no extra cost to schedule an administrative hearing.

Can I request an administrative hearing over the phone?

No. Per city ordinance, all hearing requests must be in writing and RECEIVED no later than the due date printed on the notice of violation.

Can someone else attend the hearing on my behalf?

Yes. An attorney may appear at an administrative hearing on your behalf. Otherwise the vehicle owner named on the notice of violation is expected to attend the hearing.

What if I am disabled and unable to appear for my hearing?

City hall is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accessible parking spaces are on the south side of city hall.

I do not believe I ran a red light and want to discuss my case with someone.

To contest the violation, an administrative hearing must be requested in writing on or before the due date listed on the top and bottom right of your notice of violation. To request a hearing the vehicle owner must sign the coupon located on the bottom of the notice of violation and mail it in the envelope provided. A letter stating the date and time you are scheduled to appear is mailed to you. A hearing takes about 10 minutes to conduct.

Hearings are held Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Fort Worth City Hall, 1000 Throckmorton Street, First Floor, Hearing Room, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.

Do I have to pay the civil penalty on the day of the hearing?

No. If found liable, you have 30-days from the date of the hearing to pay the penalty or appeal the liable finding to the Fort Worth Municipal Court.

Where may I park when I show up for a hearing or an appeal?

Parking spaces are available on city streets next to city hall and in a parking lot south of Texas Street. Additional parking is also available in nearby parking garages. No validations are provided.

How may I appeal the hearing officer’s decision?

You may appeal the hearing officer's decision by filing a Notice of Appeal/Statement of Personal Financial Obligation with the Fort Worth Municipal Court, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. The Notice of Appeal/Statement of Personal Financial Obligation must be notarized. Both completed forms must be submitted within 30-days of the date on which the administrative hearing officer entered the finding of liability. An appeal shall be determined by a municipal court judge as if no prior hearing was held.

Click to download appeal documents: Appeal Form

How do I submit an affidavit of non-liability?

It is presumed the vehicle owner committed the violation alleged in the notice of violation. However, if at the time and place of the violation, the vehicle was being operated by a person other than the owner, the owner may complete an affidavit of non-liability for one of the following reasons:

• Vehicle was sold prior to the date and time of the violation;
• Vehicle or license plate was stolen;
• Vehicle was rented or leased from a person in the business of selling, renting, or leasing motor vehicles;
• Vehicle was test driven from a person in the business of selling, renting, or leasing motor vehicles.

You may obtain an affidavit of non-liability by visiting www.ViolationInfo.com. This affidavit must include one of the following:

• A copy of the bill of sale or other supporting documentation if the vehicle was sold;
• A copy of the police report if the vehicle or its license plate was stolen;
• A copy of the rental/leasing agreement if the vehicle was rented/leased;
• A copy of supporting documentation if the vehicle was test driven.

Submit the completed, signed, and notarized affidavit, along with documentation, before the due date that appears on the front of your notice of violation.

Ways to Submit Affidavit and Documentation:

• U.S Postal Service - Mail to:

City of Fort Worth, Texas
Automated Red-Light Enforcement
P.O. Box 742503
Cincinnati, OH 45274-2503; or

• In-Person - Bring to:

City of Fort Worth, Texas
Automated Red-Light Enforcement
Lower Level Cashier’s Office
1000 Throckmorton St.

If the vehicle was rented or leased from a person in the business of selling, renting, or leasing motor vehicles, send the affidavit and documentation providing the name and address of the driver or lessee, along with a copy of the notice, by the due date on the notice of violation to:

• Violation Processing Center, P.O. Box 22091, Tempe, AZ 85285-2091

Visit www.ViolationInfo.com to view information about the notice of violation. You need the notice number and PIN which are found on the front of the notice of violation, in the upper right corner, inside the red box.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION HOLD (SCOFFLAW)

Will an unpaid notice of violation affect my vehicle registration?

Yes if the county you reside in participates in the scofflaw process. If violation fees remain unpaid after the account goes to a collection agency, the City of Fort Worth will submit information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and a scofflaw hold will be placed on the vehicle registration until all delinquent fees are paid.

Will the tax assessor-collector’s office have any details on the scofflaw hold issued by the City of Fort Worth?

No. Other than the scofflaw remark shown on the vehicle registration record (City Scofflaw: City of Fort Worth-RLC), the tax assessor-collector’s office has no information on red-light camera violations. Contact customer service (1-866-358-3660) for more information.

How can a scofflaw hold be removed from my vehicle registration record?

All delinquent red-light camera fees with the City of Fort Worth must be paid in full in order for the scofflaw hold to be released. The City of Fort Worth notifies TxDMV of all accounts that were paid the previous month and request the scofflaw hold be removed. The City of Fort Worth will issue a Registration Release Letter with payment. This letter can be presented to the local tax assessor in the county where the vehicle is registered to renew the vehicle registration.

How can I obtain a Registration Release Letter?

Once payment has been made for all delinquent violations affecting the same vehicle, a Registration Release Letter can be obtained by calling 1-866-358-3660 for the release to be faxed to your tax assessor’s office.

Can I renew my vehicle registration online once I obtain a Registration Release Letter?

No. You must go to the local county tax assessor to renew the vehicle registration.

If I pay my delinquent fees online or by phone, will my scofflaw hold be removed automatically?

No. ATS will fax a registration release letter to the county tax assessor’s office of your choice.