FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AUTOMATED SPEED CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
Q: Are Photo
Safety Enforcement Programs effective?
A: Yes. Red Light and Photo Speed cameras have been proven
to be effective in reducing red light violations and right-angle
collisions. Cities using these systems
consistently report safer roads with fewer collisions.
Q: Why are 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: Who
receives the ticket?
A. Infractions / Violations are mailed to
the registered owner of the vehicle.
Q: Will “points” be assessed
to my driving record?
A. This violation is considered a non-moving
infraction and no points will be assessed.
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. How can I dispute this citation?
A. Fill out the bottom of the Hearing Request
form on the bottom of page three of the Notice of Infraction. Your options are:
MITIGATION
HEARING (IN PERSON): By requesting a mitigation hearing (in person), you
agree to appear at your scheduled hearing and will be deemed to have committed
the infraction. You may not subpoena
witnesses for this hearing. You would
request a mitigation hearing if you agree you committed the infraction but
believe the circumstances may be such that the court could reduce or waive the
penalty. You will be notified in writing
of your mitigation hearing date.
MITIGATION
HEARING (BY MAIL): Instead of appearing in court, you have the option of a mitigation
hearing (by mail); you will not be required to appear in court. Instead, you must write a Defendant’s
Statement and Declaration (use the back side) and mail the coupon to the
address below. The court will review
your declaration, the photos/video of the incident and the police officer’s
sworn statement and render a decision.
The infraction will be found committed and a monetary penalty will be
determined. The judge may reduce the
penalty depending on any mitigating circumstances. You will be notified by mail of the judge’s
decision.
CONTESTED
HEARING (IN PERSON): At a contested hearing the City has the burden of
proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the infraction was committed;
you may subpoena witnesses including the officer who issued the notice of
infraction. You will be notified in
writing of your contested hearing date.
Failure to
appear for a requested hearing, or failure to pay a penalty imposed after a
hearing will result in your Notice of Infraction
being referred to a collections agency; additional penalties plus collection
fees will be added to the original penalty. Failure to pay may also result
in non-renewal of your vehicle registration pursuant to RCW 46.16A.120.
If you have any
questions, please call Lynnwood Municipal Court between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM at
(425) 670-5100.
A. No. Drivers who
receive photo enforcement citations are cited for red light infractions only.
A. There are 4 ways to pay your fine: