FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AUTOMATED RED LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

 

 

Q. WHAT IS THE CITY OF HUMBLE RED LIGHT PHOTO ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM?

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 Texas and the City of Humble have adopted laws that allow automated camera enforcement of selected traffic safety statutes and ordinances. City of Humble Ordinance No 07-635 authorizes the installation and operation of automated cameras to enforce the City's stoplight ordinances.

 

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 this 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. Some images may contain both a steady red signal and a fading yellow signal. In these circumstances, the presence of the yellow signal is due to incandescence bulb afterglow; a review of the violation video will clearly show the light to be red.

 

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 07-635.

 

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 that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or sold, custody or control of some person other than the registered owner in the case of leasing or rental.

 

An infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety 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 Department of Licensing. 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 THE REGISTERED OWNER WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION?

A.   You may submit a notarized declaration to that effect to the administrative adjudicative hearing officer to rebut the presumption that you were driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. A Declaration of Non-Responsibility form can be obtained in any of the following ways:

 

a  Download or print the form from www.violationinfo.com

a  Download or print the form from www.ci.humble.tx.us

You must return mail it to the address below by the due date shown on the front of this Notice of Infraction.

CITY OF HUMBLE

Violation Processing Center PO Box 22091

Tempe, AZ 85285-2091

 

 

Q. WHAT IS THE FINE? ARE THERE ANY FEES FOR LATE PAYMENTS?

A.   The photo red light fine in Humble is $75.00. If your payment is not received or a hearing is not set prior to the due date indicated on your notice, a $25 late fee may be added to the $75.00 fine amount.

 

 

 

Q. CAN I RECEIVE CITATIONS FOR OTHER OFFENSES AS A RESULT OF MY RED LIGHT CAMERA CITATION?

A.   No. Drivers who receive photo red light citations are cited for red light violations only

 

Q.  HOW DO I PAY MY FINE?

A.   Your Payment Options:

 

a Pay by mail: Send a check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to the City Of Humble, for the AMOUNT DUE shown on the front of your Notice. Please write your Notice # and your license plate # on your check or money order. Include the coupon and the check in the envelope provided. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.

 

a Pay online: Visit  www.violationinfo.com.  There may be a convenience / service fee for this service.

a Pay by phone: Call 1-866-790-4111, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  There may be a convenience / service fee for this service.

a Pay in person: Humble Police Department at 310 Bender Street, Humble, TX  77338.  Check or Money order only.

 

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.   A refund check may be issued under the following circumstances:  

a Duplicate and/or overpayment of a Notice of Violation

a 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.

 

 

Q.  CAN I VIEW THE IMAGES OR VIDEO CLIP OF THE VIOLATION?

A.   TO VIEW VIDEO AND IMAGES: The recorded video and images of this incident will be submitted as evidence in the municipal court proceeding for prosecution of this violation. You may view the video and images of this incident online at www.ViolationInfo.com.

 

 

Q.  HOW CAN I REQUEST A HEARING?

A.   TO REQUEST A HEARING: You must sign the coupon below and mail it in the enclosed envelope. A non-judicial 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. 07-635 of the City of Humble, Texas. If you are found liable at the non-judicial administrative hearing or you request a hearing and thereafter fail to appear at the time and place of the hearing, you will also be liable for administrative hearing costs in the amount of $50.00. A person who is found liable for a civil penalty after a non-judicial administrative hearing shall pay the civil penalty and costs within 10 days of the determination of liability.

 

 

 

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. The Humble Police Department reviews 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.

 

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 intersections collisions.

 

Q. IF I AM ALREADY IN THE INTERSECTION WHEN A LIGHT TURNS RED, WILL I GET A CITATION?

A.   No. Citations 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.

 

Q.  WILL INTERSECTIONS THAT HAVE RED LIGHT CAMERAS BE PUBLICIZED?

A.     Yes, locations will be announced and listed in the local newspaper, on the city website, and in the city newsletter.

Cameras are now installed at four intersections based on crash and violation statistics compiled by the Humble Police Department. Each intersection is clearly marked with signs.