FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AUTOMATED RED LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

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 Washington and the City of Puyallup have adopted laws that allow automated camera enforcement of selected traffic safety statutes and ordinances. City of Puyallup ordinance no. 10.33 authorizes the installation and operation of automated cameras to enforce the City's stoplight ordinances.

Q. What is the City of Puyallup Red Light Photo Enforcement Program?

A. This is a traffic safety program in which Seattle utilizes state-of-the-art digital cameras and violation detection systems for the purpose of decreasing the number of red-light violations.

Q. Why did I receive a citation?

A. 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 video recording shows that you failed to come to a complete stop before making the turn as required by ordinance no. 10.33.

Q. What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation?

A. 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 in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner. You may submit a Declaration of Non-Liability to rebut the presumption, established in RCW 46.63.075, that you were driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. The Declaration is located on page 4 of your Notice of Infraction.

You must return the completed Declaration to the address on the Declaration by the due date shown on the front of your Notice of Infraction.

Q. What is the fine? Are there any fees for late payments?

A. The photo red light fine in Puyallup is $124.00. If your payment is not received or a hearing is not set prior to the due date indicated on your notice you will be refer to a collection agency and additional penalty will be imposed. Failure to pay may also result in non-renewal of your vehicle registration pursuant to RCW 46.16A.120.

An infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera is a non-criminal offense for which you cannot go to jail. 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 Infraction, failure to appear for a requested hearing, or failure to pay a penalty imposed after a hearing may result in non-renewal of your vehicle registration pursuant to RCW 46.16A.120.

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:

1. Send a check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to the Puyallup Municipal Court to: Puyallup Municipal Court, 929 E Main, Suite 120, Puyallup, WA 98372. Pease write your INFRACTION # on your check or money order. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.

2. Pay online at www.puyalluptix.com. You will need the INFRACTION # located on the front of your Notice of Infraction.

3. Pay in person at Puyallup Municipal Court, 929 E Main, Suite 120, Puyallup, WA 98372. Payments can be made Monday thru Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

Important: Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your Notice of Infraction.

Q. Can I view the images or video clip of the violation?

A. 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. If you would like a hearing, you may request a Mitigation Hearing or a Contested Hearing. Indicate your choice on the hearing coupon at the bottom of page 3 of your Notice of Infraction and mail it to the Puyallup Municipal Court.

Mitigation Hearing: By requesting a mitigation hearing, you agree to appear at your scheduled hearing and understand a finding of committed to the infraction will be entered. You may not subpoena witnesses for this hearing. You would request a mitigation hearing if you agree you committed the offense but believe the circumstances may be such that the court could reduce the penalty. You will be notified in writing of your hearing date.

Contested Hearing: By requesting a contested hearing you are asserting you did not commit the infraction. At a contested hearing, the City has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the infraction was committed. You have the right to subpoena a witness, including the officer who issued the Notice. A request to subpoena a witness must be made in writing at least 14 days prior to your hearing. You will be notified in writing of your contested hearing date.

Failure to appear or pay a penalty will result in your notice being referred to a collection agency and additional fees imposed. Failure to appear or pay the penalty may also result in non-renewal of your vehicle registration pursuant to RCW.46.16A.120 until all penalties imposed have been paid.

Q. How does this program 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 Puyallup 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.