PhotoSAFE Auburn
- Why was the Red Light Ordinance enacted?
- What is red light running?
- Why use red light cameras and not hire more police officers?
- Do red light cameras improve public safety?
- Are they fair?
- Do they violate privacy?
- What if I wasn’t driving my vehicle, but the ticket is in my name?
- Will this infraction affect my driving record?
- How much are photo red light tickets?
- What do I do if I received a ticket?
- Can I pay online?
Why was the Red Light Ordinance enacted?
Red light running is one of the most serious traffic problems facing Auburn residents today. Nationally, red light running is a significant problem. In 2000, 106,000 crashes, 89,000 injuries, and 1,036 deaths were attributed to red light running. These crash types tend to be among the most common and dangerous. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that compared with all other types of urban crashes, those involving signal violations are the most likely to cause injuries. This same study found that running red lights and other traffic controls is the most common cause of urban crashes.
In response to this growing concern, the Washington State Legislature enacted a state law authorizing municipalities to digitally enforce red light violations. In December 2005, the City of Auburn enacted a municipal code allowing the enforcement of red light and school zone speed violations.
What is red light running?
A violation occurs when a motorist deliberately enters an intersection after the signal light has turned red. Motorists who are already in an intersection when the signal changes to red—while waiting turn, for example—are not red light running, so they are not ticketed.
Why use red light cameras and not hire more police officers?
Cameras enhance the existing Auburn Police Department’s efforts around the clock because we can’t be everywhere at once. In cities where red light cameras are in use, Police say it would take 12-15 more officers to have the same effect as one camera.
Traditional police enforcement also poses special difficulties and dangers for police who may have to follow violating vehicles through intersections during the red light, which endangers them as well as other drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Do red light cameras improve public safety?
YES, they’ve been proven to reduce red light violations, intersection crashes and injuries. Violations usually fall by around 40 percent or more in the first year. In Oxnard, CA, for example, they fell 42 percent in four months. In Fairfax, VA, they dropped 44 percent in the first year, and also fell 34 percent at other non-camera intersections as motorists generally became more aware of the need for safe driving. Records of accidents and serious injuries also show declines.
Are they fair?
YES. If you don’t run the red light you won’t be photographed or fined.
The cameras only start operating after the light has turned red. Auburn drivers who enter on yellow and are still in the intersection when the light changes to red aren’t photographed. Our program requires police to check and authorize every ticket before it is issued to confirm a genuine violation has occurred.
Do they violate privacy?
NO. Washington law states that driving on the public roads is a regulated activity, not a right. The PhotoSAFE Auburn cameras photograph your vehicle, and not the driver’s face.
What if I wasn’t driving my vehicle, but the ticket is in my name?
The registered owner of the violator vehicle can provide the Auburn Municipal Court with an affidavit stating that they were not operating the vehicle at the time the violation occurred, in which case the infraction may be dismissed.
Will this infraction affect my driving record?
The PhotoSAFE Auburn infraction is similar to a parking infraction and attaches to the vehicle in question, not the registered owner’s personal driving record. This infraction will not affect your driving record.
What do I do if I received a ticket?
Drivers who receive photo red light tickets have all of the same rights that come with any traffic violation. Drivers with tickets may choose to pay their citation online, they may appear by mail before their scheduled court date, or they may come into court and speak with a court clerk. Drivers with photo red light tickets may plead committed or not-committed. If they plead not-committed, a hearing will be scheduled before a magistrate or judge.
Can I pay online?
Yes, drivers with PhotoSAFE infractions may pay their fine online. They can also view their video of running the red light at http://www.photonotice.com
|
