Frequently Asked Questions
A. This is a traffic
safety program in which the City of Renton utilizes
state-of-the-art digital cameras
and violation detection
systems
for
the
purpose
of
decreasing
the
number of
red
light
violations and speed violations in school zones. The City of Renton
has implemented two types of enforcement technologies: Red Light Cameras and Fixed Speed.
A. Red Light Cameras: 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 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.
All intersections with red light cameras are clearly
marked. The Renton Police Department reviews every violation before
the citation is issued. Citations contain
an image of a violating
vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the intersection, and the license plate of the vehicle.
Fixed Speed: The detection system is comprised
of two piezoelectric strips and an induction loop which have been installed under the pavement
at each enforced lane. When a vehicle
drives over these detection devices
above the pre-set
threshold speed, the systems computer
signals the cameras to record the violation. A video clip also records
the vehicle as it passes the cameras.
A. No.
Drivers who receive
photo enforcement citations
are cited for red light
or School Zone Speed violations only.
A. Your Payment Options:
1.
Send a check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to City of Renton, for the AMOUNT DUE shown on the
front, by the DUE DATE. Please include the payment coupon with your payment.
Write your notice # on your check or money order. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.
2.
Pay online at www.ViolationInfo.com. Use the Notice # and PIN printed on the front of your notice to log in. There may be a convenience / service fee for this service.
3.
Pay in person, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Court Payment Office located on the third floor at 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057.
4.
Pay by phone: 1-866-790-4111, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There may be a convenience / service fee for this service.
Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your Notice of Violation
Q.
How can
I request
a hearing?
A. A person receiving a Notice of Infraction based on evidence by an automated traffic safety camera may respond to the notice by mail. You may submit a hearing request using the 3rd page of your Notice of Infraction.
You may request a Mitigation or a Contested
Hearing. Guidelines for each are defined below.
Indicate your choice on the hearing coupon
below and mail it to the Renton Municipal Court
at the address listed on the coupon
below so that your request
is received by the due date on the coupon.
If you have any questions
regarding your hearing,
please call Renton Municipal Court Customer Service at (425) 430-6550, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
MITIGATION HEARING
(IN PERSON): By requesting a mitigation hearing (in person), you
agree to appear at your scheduled hearing.
The infraction will be found to have been committed and a monetary
penalty will be determined. The judge may reduce the penalty based
upon any mitigating information available to the judge at the time of the hearing.
You may not subpoena witnesses
for this hearing.
You will be notified by mail of your mitigation hearing date. There is no appeal allowed for a mitigation hearing.
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 Statement
and Declaration on the back of the coupon below and mail it
to the address below. The infraction will be found to have been committed and a monetary
penalty will be determined.
The
judge may reduce the penalty based upon any mitigating
information available to the judge
at the time that your Statement
and Declaration is reviewed. You will be notified by mail of the judges
decision and you agree to pay the penalty within 60 days of the decision.
There is no appeal allowed
for a mitigation hearing.
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.
By requesting a contested hearing (in person),
you agree to appear at your scheduled
hearing. You may subpoena
witnesses including the officer who issued this Notice of Infraction.
You will be notified
in writing of your contested
hearing date.
PLEASE REVIEW YOUR VIDEO AND IMAGES PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING.
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, and may result in a non-renewal of your vehicle
registration pursuant to RCW 46.16A.120.
Q.
What is
the Refund
Policy?
A. A refund check may be issued under the following
circumstances:
1. Duplicate
and/or overpayment of a Notice of Violation
2. 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 Refund Request
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 digital photographic evidence
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. Video and images may also be viewed using the kiosk
on the first floor of City Hall located at 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. You will need the Notice # and PIN printed on the front of your notice to log in.
A. Yes. Photo Enforcement 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.
A. No. Citations are only issued when a vehicle enters the intersection AFTER the light has turned red.
A. Yes, locations will be announced and listed in the local newspaper, on the city website, and in the city newsletter. In addition, they are below:
WB 3rd St. @ Sunset Blvd. N SB E Valley Way @ SW 43rd St
WB SW Grady Way / S Grady Way @ Rainier Ave S SB Sunset Blvd. @ Bronson Way
NB Edmonds Ave NE @ McKnight Middle School Zone SB Edmonds Ave NE @ McKnight
Middle School Zone
WB S 2nd St @ Renton High School Zone
WB S 2nd St (South Side) @ Renton High School Zone NB Talbot Rd @ Talbot Hill Elementary School Zone SB Talbot Rd @ Talbot Hill Elementary School Zone
SB Rainier Ace S @ SW Grady Way / S Grady Way EB SW Grady Way / S Grady Way @ Rainier Ave S