New Laws on Tap, Red Light Cameras

July brings with it the pool, Fourth of July parades (our is the best, of course), fireworks (again, we're tops) and new laws. Starting today - July 1 - there are a slew of new state laws on tap. The Washington Post has a good rundown on some of the top laws going into effect.

Here in the City of Fairfax our red-light camera program goes back into effect today. The intersections where the cameras will be located include:

- North Street at University Drive (both eastbound and westbound traffic)
- Fairfax Boulevard at Fairfax Circle (both eastbound and westbound traffic)

From July 1 to July 31 violators will be given warnings. Tickets will start to be issued on August 1. The fine is $50.

This program is finally coming back after an extended absence. The City was actually the first jurisdiction in Virginia to have the cameras in 1997, but the program stopped in 2005 due to the General Assembly preventing localities from having any program. During this time, however, the number of red light accidents and tickets issued from running the red light went down 44 percent. In other words, the system worked like it was supposed to.

Also during this time there was a major uproar over cities across the country - namely Washington, D.C. - making money off the program. To be fair, the General Assembly wanted to make sure that localities in Virginia weren't following - or even thinking of following - the D.C.-model. That I agree with. This program shouldn't be a money maker for localities as the focus needs to be on safety.

That said, once the General Assembly allowed the program again, the process to get the camera locations approved has been difficult since now the City has to get VDOT's approval first. Nevertheless, we got the locations approved and we are ready to move forward.

To be clear, the program we have is not incentive based. We pay a flat fixed monthly fee of $19,000 to our vendor Redflex to process the tickets for up to four cameras. The photo and associated ticket are also checked by a Fairfax City Police Officer before issuance, ensuring proper oversight. And, according to City staff, this program will be essentially "revenue neutral" meaning that the revenue from tickets will be equal to what we pay for the service. To goal is safety, not profit.

So how does it work? Thanks to staff for the below description:

The system has multiple cameras and video that includes digital pictures. (In the past, red-light camera systems used one 35 mm film camera at each location.)

The camera has a built-in "grace period" of 0.5 seconds (one-half of a second), the legally mandated minimum time. This means only drivers entering the intersection 0.5 seconds or more after the traffic signal turns red can be cited for violations. (Previously, the grace period was 0.3 seconds.)

Before a citation is issued, a City of Fairfax police officer personally reviews the evidence (video and photos) of each violation.

When a citation is issued:

The registered owner of the vehicle (alleged violator) will be mailed a notice of violation and a secure PIN number to access their red light violation citation online at “Photonotice.”

On the “Photonotice” website, violators may view:

- Two still photographs: one showing the vehicle approaching the intersection and one showing the vehicle in violation.
- 12-second video clip of the vehicle in violation of the traffic signal.

The fine associated with the violation, $50, may be pre-paid on the website.

If the fine is not paid on time, a summons will be issued for a court appearance.

The alleged violator may choose to challenge the citation in city traffic court. Court costs are not applied.

Citations are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. If the registered owner was not driving the vehicle, s/he may sign a sworn affidavit stating s/he was not driving the vehicle, and the citation will be nullified.