Why has the City of Rowlett decided to utilize red light cameras?
According to the Federal Highway Administration more than 2.7 million intersection crashes occur across the country annually, resulting in over 9,000 fatalities. Each year more than 50% of all reported crashes and 22% of all injury crashes occur in an intersection. Effective traffic management remains a high priority for our private citizens, the business community and city officials.
It is believed the Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement program will aid our efforts in traffic management by reducing the number of red light violations thereby reducing the number of red light crashes, and injuries associated with such crashes. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in the City of Rowlett. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of red light violations, red light crashes, and red light injury crashes.
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Does a violation of this Ordinance go on my driving record?
No it does not. City Ordinance 14-04 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
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What if I wasn’t driving the car when the violation occurred?
As stated above, City Ordinance 14-04 establishes liability against the registered owner, not the operator.
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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.
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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 14-04 would be dismissed. The violator would still be responsible for the citation issued by an officer for violation of Transportation Code Section 544.007.
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How do the red light cameras work?
Each intersection equipped with Automated Red Light Camera equipment will have a series of digital cameras installed near the roadway. These cameras will consist of two digital still cameras and a digital video camera. Utilizing a passive sensor, the system will detect when the signal light changes to red. Using digital video presence cameras the system will trigger when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light changes to red. The first digital still camera will capture two images, scene A and scene B. Scene A will show the vehicle prior to entering the intersection while the light is red, while scene B will show the vehicle in the intersection while the light is red. The photographs will 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 will appear on the photograph. The second digital camera will capture a close-up image of the rear license plate of the vehicle. And finally, the digital video will capture 12 seconds of video, depicting the 6 seconds prior to and the 6 second following the violation. The 3 digital still images will be included when a Notice to Appear is issued. Also, a link to a web page will be noted on the Notice of Violation to allow viewing the images.
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What is the penality for violating the ordinance?
A civil penalty of $75 is assessed for each violation. However, 3 or more violations within any 12-month period will result in an enhanced penalty of $200.
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How do I contest a notice of violation?
Notices of Violation may be appealed to an Administrative Hearing Officer. Details on how to schedule a hearing will be included on the Notice of Violation.
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If after a hearing I am held liable by the Administrative Hearing Officer is there a means to appeal ?
Yes, a person found liable by the Administrative Hearing Officer may appeal this finding to the Rowlett Municipal Court. Instructions on how to schedule an appeal will be available from the Administrative Hearing Officer as well as from the Municipal Court.
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Who pays for the red light cameras?
This program will be funded by those who refuse to stop at red lights and violate the City Ordinance.
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What happens to the revenue generated from the penalties assessed by the red light cameras?
All revenue from Notices of Violation shall be deposited in an account established by the City Council.
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Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No, they will not. A violation of C.O. 14-04 is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. As such there is no need to identify the driver, and therefore no need to capture an image of the driver.
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Who is providing the red light cameras to the City of Rowlett?
ACS was awarded the contract to provide a turn-key solution for the Automated Red Light Enforcement Camera program. ACS will install, maintain, and service all equipment associated with this program. Furthermore, ACS will process and review all violations captured by the equipment. ACS will then provide the Rowlett Police Department all evidence of violations. A Rowlett Police Officer will review all evidence and ensure a violation has clearly been committed. Once verified by a sworn peace officer, ACS will be authorized to create and mail all Notices of Violation.
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Who can I call for more info?
For additional information, administrators of the Rowlett Stop on Red Program may be contacted directly at (800) 603-4998.
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Can I pay for violations on line?
If you received a Notice of Violation, you may pay it on line by visiting the secure website. Please follow the link in the gray link box on the main Rowlett Stop on Red page. Directions for use are on the secure website.
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