Road Safety Program FAQ's

Why has the City of Sunrise implemented a Road Safety Program?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2 million crashes annually occur in intersections. In 2009, red-light running resulted in 676 fatalities and 113,000 injuries.

Red-light running is a deadly epidemic. Road Safety Programs have proven to reduce the number of red-light collisions, and injuries associated with these crashes. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in Sunrise by reducing red-light running violations, collisions and injuries without impacting city funds.

What is a red-light running violation?
A red-light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red, waiting to turn, for example, are not considered red-light violators.

Where are Red-Light Safety Cameras located?
The intersections with camera installations are listed below. Each intersection is marked clearly with signs.

• North University Drive (north-bound) at Sunset Strip
• North University Drive (south-bound) at Sunset Strip
• North University Drive (south-bound) at Sunrise Lakes Boulevard
• North University Drive (north-bound) at NW 25TH Court
• North University Drive (west-bound) at West Oakland Park Boulevard
• North University Drive (south-bound) at West Oakland Park Boulevard
• West Oakland Park Boulevard (east bound) at Northwest 60TH Avenue 
• North Flamingo Road (south-bound) at NW 136TH Avenue 
• North Flamingo Road (south-bound) at West Sunrise Boulevard 
• North Flamingo Road (north-bound) at West Sunrise Boulevard
• Sunrise Boulevard (east-bound) at Sunset Strip
• Nob Hill Road (north-bound) at Sunset Strip
• Nob Hill Road (south-bound) at Sunset Strip
• Nob Hill Road (south-bound) at West Oakland Park Boulevard

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How does the Red-Light Safety Camera work?  

•  The system activates when motion is detected just prior to the stop bar AFTER the traffic signal has turned red.
• The cameras capture two images of an alleged violation, taken from the rear of the vehicle.
• The first image shows the vehicle at the white stop bar and the illuminated red light. 
• The second image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the red light illuminated. 
• The license plate image is a close-up from one of the images captured. 
• Data, including the time, date, and duration of the yellow and red lights, also is recorded.
• Cameras also record a 12-second digital video of the violation, including six seconds prior to and six seconds after running the red light.

Why does the camera flash when no one runs the red light?
The road safety program is designed to take two rear photographs of a vehicle that may be committing a violation. The first rear image captures the vehicle prior to entering the intersection with the traffic signal red, and the second image shows the vehicle continuing through the intersection during the red signal phase.

On occasion, a vehicle approaching an intersection with a red light may come to a stop before entering the intersection yet trigger the road safety camera system, causing the flash to discharge. In addition, a vehicle approaching the intersection and making a right turn may not come to a complete stop but only slow before continuing to turn, triggering the road safety program and causing the flash to discharge.

The Police Department reviews each violation event captured by the road safety program and makes the final decision to issue a citation. All flash incidents do not equate to a citation.

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 What to do if you receive a Notice of Violation

Why did I receive this Notice of Violation?
Based on images captured by the automated system, your vehicle was determined to have committed a red-light violation. As the vehicle owner, the Notice of Violation is mailed to you.

How much is the fine?
Violations will be assessed a $158 statutory penalty and no points will be assessed.
If the fine is not paid in a timely fashion a “Uniform Traffic Citation” will be issued and increased penalties could be assessed including court costs.

How much time do I have to pay my Notice of Violation?
It is recommended that the payment be received eight (8) days prior to the due date specified on the front page of this notice to be appropriately processed or a UTC will be issued at a higher cost. The due date for payment is located on the top and bottom right of your Notice of Violation.

What are my options?

To view information about your Notice of Violation please visit www.ViolationInfo.com.  If you do not have access to a computer with internet capabilities, you may view your video and images at the Sunrise Public Safety Building located at 10440 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise Florida 33351. 

Once you have accessed www.ViolationInfo.com, you will be asked to enter your Notice number and PIN, found on the front of your Warning or Notice of Violation in the upper right corner, inside the red box.  For more information about the Intersection Safety Program, you can also call customer service at 1-866-225-8875 between 8:00am and 5:00pm excluding holidays and weekends.

What if I was not the driver/owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation?
If you assert that the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of another person, you must provide the name, address, date of birth, and, if known, the driver’s license number of the person who leased, rented, or otherwise had care, custody, or control of the vehicle at the time of the violation. Acceptance of this assertion by the City of Sunrise will result in the issuance of a uniform traffic citation to the person named in the affidavit.

What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation?
If you fail to respond, a Uniform Traffic Citation (“UTC”) will be issued to you under this statute for the stated infraction you may become responsible for court fees and costs. Upon issuance of a UTC, you shall have the remedies specified in Florida Statutes § 318.14, which include the right to have a hearing before a designated official, who shall determine whether an infraction has been committed. If the official concludes that no infraction has been committed, no costs or penalties shall be imposed.

Will I receive any points on my driving record for this Violation?
This is a non-criminal infraction of state law. No points will be assessed.

Will my insurance rates be affected?
No. This violation may not be used to set motor vehicle insurance rates.

Will the Red-Light Safety cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. A violation of the Florida Statutes § 316.075(1)(c) is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver and therefore, no need to capture an image of the driver.

I do not believe I ran a red light. Where can I go to view my images and video?
To view video and images, logon to www.ViolationInfo.com and enter the Notice Number and the PIN Number located at the top right of your Notice of Violation. If you do not have Internet access, you may visit any public library for Internet access to view your images.

I do not believe I ran a red light and want to discuss my case with someone.
If you choose to appear before an official of the county court or plead not guilty, do not respond to this Notice of Violation. You will receive a Uniform Traffic Citation within 60 days of the Violation Date via certified mail. Instructions will be provided to you by the county clerk’s office as to how you should proceed.

Can someone other than me attend the hearing?
Only you may appear at an adjudication hearing.

Can I bring a lawyer to the hearing with me?
Yes.

How do I know that these violations are valid?
Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by an Automated Road Safety Program. You can review your images and video of the actual occurrence online. The images and video were reviewed by several qualified technicians and finally by personnel from the Sunrise Police Department before the alleged civil violation was affirmed and mailed to you as the registered owner or identified driver.

What company provides the Road Safety program in Sunrise?
Sunrise has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) which provides Road safety and road safety programs for more than 300 communities across North America. More information about ATS is available at www.atsol.com.

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Violation Review Process

The Violation Process Review video, available on YouTube here:



The violation review process emphasizes how every detail is checked, re-checked and checked again by ATS employees and police to ensure that every event captured that results in a violation being issued meets all of the issuing authority's legal requirements.

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Red-light Running Facts

Red-light Running is a Dangerous and Costly Problem.

• Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes
  according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 
•  In 2009, 676 people were killed and 113,000 were injured in
  intersection crashes. 
•  Road safety cameras saved 159 lives in 2004-08 in 14 of the biggest US cities, an analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. 
•  Right angle crash is the most prevalent type of intersection fatal crash. In 2009, there were 826 right angle collisions in intersections with traffic lights followed by 190 sideswipe collisions according to the National Safety Council 
•  In 2009 there were 1,377 fatal collisions involving other motor vehicles which represent about 13% according to NSC. 
•  The financial cost to the public is estimated to be more than $14 billion each year.

Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 
Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

A Crash Caused by a Driver who Runs a Red Light is More Likely to Result in Serious Injury or Death.

• Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes.
• More people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type.
• Reduction in red-light running through a comprehensive Road safety camera program will promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the Sunrise citizens.

Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes.

Most People Run Red Lights Because They are in a Hurry, When in Fact They Save Only Seconds.

• Almost all drivers (96%) fear being struck by a red-light runner.
• A majority of Americans (56%) admit to running red lights. 
• Red-light runners can be anyone who drives. 
• One in three Americans knows someone who has been injured or killed in a red-light running crash. 
• Red-light running is often a result of aggressive driving and is completely preventable.
  

 

Almost all drivers (96%) fear being struck by a red-light runner. 

Sources:
“Stop Red Light Running,” Federal Highway Administration Safety Website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov
R. A. Retting and A.F. Williams, "Characteristics of Red Light Violators: Results of a Field Investigation," Journal of Safety Research (1996): 27.1, 9-15.

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Red-Light Safety Cameras Increase Safety by Changing Driver Behavior in the Long Run

National Safety Council Analysis of Intersection Fatal and Nonfatal Crashes from 2005 to 2009:
Over the last five years, the number and percent of fatal crashes involving red-light running violations have steadily decreased since 2005.

The decrease of 256 red-light running violation fatal crashes represents 58% of the total decrease in fatal crashes at intersections from 2005 to 2009.

City Statistics:
The City of Aventura reported that crashes citywide dropped by 200 reported crashes (approximately 15%) from 2008 to 2010 since the adaption of intersection safety programs. Moreover, one of Aventura’s most dangerous intersections experienced a 60 percent drop in injury cases after implementing an intersection safety program.

The City of Temple Terrace reports that traffic violations have dropped by 67 percent in the two years since the city began its intersection safety program. Additionally, there have not been any collisions attributed to the intersection safety camera enforcement program since the program’s adaption.

The City of Orlando reported that in the first year (2008) that red-light cameras went online in at 10 intersections in Orlando, Fl., accidents fell 33 percent, from 99 to 66. Rear-end collisions dropped 20 percent, as well, city officials said.

According to a 2011 news report by WFTV Orlando, red-light cameras in Orlando have reduced crashes by nearly 40 percent.

The City of Seattle, Washington reported a 50 percent decrease in violations during the first year of its pilot program with six initial camera sites.

After the City of Gallatin Tennessee, installed red-light cameras in 2006, citations for red-light running are down more than 40 percent and traffic accidents have reduced by 25 percent. Tennessean.com 09.04.08

In, Garland, Texas crashes caused by red-light runners decreased by 56 percent (from 43 crashes to 19) at four intersections with red-light cameras installed. Overall, crashes reduced by 25 percent, and all injury crashes reduced by 27 percent.

Accidents are down 11 percent in intersections with red-light cameras in Arnold, Missouri. At one intersection in front of a school, accidents decreased by 50 percent.

During its first year of operation, the City of Florissant, Missouri saw a 51 percent reduction in citations at intersections with safety cameras.

Florida Red-Light Running Facts
In 2009, 62 Floridians lost their lives making Florida the 3rd most deadly state in the nation for red-light running crashes.

Florida Support Road Safety Cameras
A 2010 survey of 800 registered Florida voters conducted by Public Opinion Strategies concluded:

• Florida voters share similar support for red-light cameras as is seen nationally.
• 72 percent of Florida voters support using these cameras in their community to detect red-light runners.
• This support cuts across gender, party, generational and regional lines in the state.
• Even voters who have received tickets for speeding or running red lights support the cameras.
• Nearly two-thirds of Floridians believe red-light cameras improve traffic safety.

More Information
For more information and/or questions, please contact:

PSA Amy Hay
954-746-3374
AHay@SunriseFL.gov

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