RED LIGHT CAMERAS
Frequently Asked Questions

§ Why has the City of Plano implemented a Red Light Camera Program?

A nationwide study of fatal crashes at traffic signals in 1999 and 2000 estimated that 20 percent of the drivers involved failed to obey the signals. In 2005, more than 800 people were killed and an estimated 165,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. About half of the deaths in red light running crashes are pedestrians and occupants in other vehicles who are hit by the red light runners. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, June 2007) .

In addition, a recent Federal Highway Administration study identified Texas as one of the worst states for red-light running. The financial costs of these accidents in Texas have been estimated at between $1.4 billion and $3 billion annually in medical, insurance, and related expenses. Red-light accidents often are among the worst because they generally involve vehicles crashing directly into the driver or passenger side of another car at high speeds. (Red-light Cameras in Texas: A Status Report; Texas House of Representatives House Research Organization, July 2006) .

Prior to the Red Light Camera Program, the City of Plano averaged nearly 17 traffic crashes per day, over 8 traffic injuries per day, and a traffic fatality about every 23 days. In cities across Texas , statistically, the most probable way to be killed or injured is in a traffic crash. We owe it to our citizens to do everything possible to reduce the frequency of these tragedies. The purpose of Plano ’s Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program is to increase traffic safety in the City of Plano by reducing the number of red light violations, crashes, and resulting injuries and deaths.

§ Under what authority can the City of Plano impose a civil penalty for running a red light?

In September 2003, the Texas Legislature ratified Senate Bill 1184, which amended Section 542.202 of the Texas Transportation Code. This amendment authorized municipalities to impose civil penalties against the owner of a motor vehicle for a violation of a municipal ordinance.

Chapter 12 of the City of Plano Municipal Code of Ordinances w as enacted in August of 2004 and established a penalty of $75 to be assessed against the owner of a vehicle that enters an intersection after the light changes to red.

On June 15, 2007, Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 1119, which became effective on September 1, 2007. This bill created Texas Transportation Code Chapter 707, establishing procedures for local entities that opted to use cameras to cite owners of vehicles that illegally run through red lights. The bill also provides specific processes for implementing a Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Program, contracting certain duties to a vendor, imposing a civil penalty, and creating a hearing and appeals process.

On August 22, 2007, the Plano City Council amended Chapter 12 of the Plano City Ordinances to reflect modifications required by Senate Bill 1119.

How do I make payment for a Notice of Violation?

Payments can be made by personal check, money order, or VISA / MasterCard only (no cash). Please make check or money order payable to “Plano Red Light Photo Enforcement Program” and mail in the enclosed envelope, along with the payment coupon found on page 2 of the notice. A c redit card payment can also be made online at: www.photonotice.com (enter city code: PLANO ). A $25.00 administrative fee will be assessed for any rejected or declined payment. Walk-in payments are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the local customer service center, located at 1721 W. Plano Pkwy Suite #105 , Plano , TX 75075 (cash will not be accepted at the customer service center). Please do not bring any payments to the City of Plano Municipal Center or Police Department.

§ How do I contest a Notice of Violation issued for violating C.O. 12-260?

Per the ordinance, each violation may be appealed to an Administrative Hearing Officer. Hearings are held at 7501A Independence Parkway , Plano , Texas 75023 (by appointment only). Details on how to schedule a hearing will be included on the Notice of Violation. Failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner will constitute an admission of liability and waiver of your right to contest the imposition of the civil penalty. If found liable at the hearing, the civil penalty is due within 31 days of the finding. Failure to appear, after having requested a hearing, will result in the person being found liable. A person found liable by the Administrative Hearing Officer may appeal this finding to the Plano Municipal Court.

§ Does a violation of this ordinance go on my driving record?

No. City Ordinance 12-260 establishes a civil penalty against the owner of the vehicle, not the operator. As such, it is not reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Failure to pay the civil penalty may result in the reporting to a collection agency and/or the county assessor-collector or the Texas Department of Transportation who may refuse to register a motor vehicle alleged to have been involved in the violation.

§ What if I wasn’t driving the car when the violation occurred?

As stated above, City Ordinance 12-260 establishes liability against the registered owner, not the operator.

§ What if I did not own the vehicle when the violation occurred?

Under these circumstances proof of sale would need to be submitted for the violation to be dismissed. A copy of the bill of sale would be sufficient to meet this requirement.

§ What if my car was stolen when this violation occurred?

City Ordinance 12-264(f) establishes the affirmative defenses to prosecution for violation of this ordinance. A person whose vehicle had been reported stolen when a violation occurred would simply need to provide the jurisdiction and report number where the offense was reported.

§ What if I run a red light and am cited by an officer, then receive a Notice of Violation in the mail for the same offense?

Under these circumstances the Notice of Violation issued pursuant to a violation of City Ordinance 12-260 would be dismissed. The violator would still be responsible for the citation issued by an officer for violation of Transportation Code Section 544.007.

§ How does the system work?

Each system consists of a series of digital cameras installed near the roadway, including two for the capture of still images and one digital video camera. Utilizing a passive sensor, the system detects when the signal light changes to red. Using digital video presence cameras, the system triggers when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light changes to red. The first digital still camera captures two images (scene A and scene B). Scene A shows the vehicle prior to entering the intersection while the light is red and scene B shows the vehicle in the intersection while the light is red. The photographs display the time, date, and location of the offense, as well as the amount of time the light was red when the image was captured. Also, the speed limit of the roadway and the speed of the vehicle at the time of the violation appear on the photograph. The second digital camera captures a close-up image of the rear license plate of the vehicle. And finally, the digital video captures 12 seconds of video, depicting the 6 seconds prior to and the 6 seconds following the violation. As a result of legislative changes that took effect on September 1, 2007, the Notice of Violation includes only one digital still image of the vehicle’s license plate; however, a link will direct the recipient to a website where the 12-second video and other images can be viewed.

§ Who is responsible for installation and maintenance of the Red Light Camera equipment?

Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., through a contract with the City of Plano , installed the camera systems and continues to maintain all equipment associated with the program. Redflex also processes and reviews all violations captured by the equipment. Redflex then provides the Plano Police Department with all evidence of the violation, and a secondary review is conducted by a Plano Police Officer to ensure that a violation has clearly been committed. Once verified by a sworn peace officer, Redflex receives authorization to create and mail all Notices of Violation. Redflex receives a fixed monthly fee for their services, which is not dependent on the number of notices issued. The program is self-funded through the collection of fines, and the net revenues are shared equally with the State of Texas for use by local Trauma Centers. Any remaining funds must be utilized for traffic safety programs, including pedestrian safety programs; public safety programs; intersection improvements; and traffic enforcement.

§ How many cameras are in operation and where are they located?

We began enforcement of our program on March 1, 2006 at four intersections, which were carefully selected based on crash data analysis. To date, a total of 14 camera systems have been installed at the following intersections throughout the City of Plano :

1. 15 ^th Street @ Independence Parkway ;

2. Park Boulevard @ Ventura Drive ;

3. Spring Creek Parkway @ Custer Road ;

4. Eastbound Legacy Drive @ Dallas Parkway ;

5. Westbound Legacy Drive @ Dallas Parkway ;

6. Coit Road @ Spring Creek Parkway ;

7. Parker Road @ Dallas Parkway ;

8. Plano Parkway @ Dallas Parkway ;

9. Jupiter Road @ Plano Parkway ;

10. Preston Road @ Plano Parkway ;

11. State Highway 121 @ Custer Road ;

12. State Highway 121 @ Dallas Parkway ;

13. Preston Road @ Spring Creek Parkway ; and

14. Coit Road @ Park Boulevard .

§ Have the Red Light Cameras been Effective?

Since its implementation, the Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program has had a positive impact on traffic safety for the citizens of Plano . As indicated in the table below, crashes at the first four monitored intersections decreased significantly from March 1 through December 31, 2006, versus the same period in 2005:

As additional cameras have become operational, we continue to be encouraged by the results of the program. For example, between January 1 and November 30, 2007, intersection crashes declined 31.4 % at the thirteen monitored intersections, versus the same period in 2006. Furthermore, we have seen significant decreases in the number of violations at each monitored intersection since the beginning of the program. This indicates a higher level of driver compliance with red lights and correspondingly enhanced traffic safety for our citizens. As an example, during March 2006 (when the program was first implemented), a total of 228 notices were issued for red light violations westbound on 15th Street at Independence Parkway . For the month of November 2007, only 46 notices were issued for violations at this same location. This represents a substantial 79.9 % decrease in violations!

To report a possible equipment malfunction or for inquiries regarding the payment process, you may contact the Customer Service Center at (972) 422-7900 or toll free at (866) 527-9470 (Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST). If you have additional questions regarding the City of Plano Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program , p lease contact the Program Coordinator at (972) 941-2459 or redlightcameras@plano.gov