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About Speed Cameras in Lake Forest Park
Providing Safety in School Zones
Speed Camera News
Change in the hours for school zones camera enforcement, starting October 26, 2009
The times the school zone cameras are in effect has changed. Starting Monday, October 26, the school zone speed cameras will be in effect Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 am and 2 -4:30 pm or when children are present. The cameras operate when school is in session.
The City placed new signs with the new hours of enforcement.
The City is planning on additional modifications including the addition of flashing lights to indicate a school zone. The City is in the process of placing the order for the lights.
The Municipal Court will accept payments. Payments can be placed in the secure payment box on the side of city hall. Be sure to include the payment coupon to be sure your payment is credited correctly.
The traffic safety cameras have had an enormous impact on reducing the number of vehicles speeding in school zones. Prior to the placement of traffic safety cameras in school zone, there were approximately 5000 vehicles exceeding the speed limit by more than 6 miles per hour. This number has been reduced by two thirds.
 Click here for more information.
Violators may view photos and video of the incident at
www.ViolationInfo.com.
October 28, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions: About Photo Enforcement Program for School Zone Speed Violations
- Why use traffic safety cameras?
- Speeding is related to almost one third of all fatal crashes, according to the
U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
In 2008, the Lake Forest Park City Council adopted an ordinance that authorized the use of
“automated traffic enforcement” to further its goals of creating a safe environment for
Lake Forest Park.
When deciding where to place the cameras, school safety was the first priority.
- How does the program work?
The cameras – which operate on school days from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – monitor both directions
of travel along NE 178th Street and 35th Ave NE.
Only vehicles that exceed the school zone’s speed limit of 20 mph are photographed and videotaped.
Before infractions are mailed to the registered owners of speeding vehicles, the Lake Forest Park Police
Department reviews and confirms each violation.
The cameras will only capture images of the rear of the offending vehicle and license plate. The City is
also installing signs along the roadway to notify drivers of the cameras.- When does this program start?
- Starting the week of May 18, 2009, the City will begin to issue warnings, but not infractions.
Starting on June 17, 2009, violators will then begin to receive fines.
- How much is the penalty?
- The fine amount is $124. If a payment is not received, or a hearing is not set, prior to the due date
indicated on your notice, a late fee may apply.
- I’ve received a Notice of Infraction. What are my options?
- There are several options:
- Pay the penalty.
- Request a mitigation hearing to explain the circumstances.
- Request a hearing to contest the notice of infraction.
- Submit a declaration of non-responsibility.
- Instructions on how to proceed with each option are included on your notice.
- How do I pay the penalty?
- There are several payment options:
- Send a check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to City of Lake Forest Park, for the amount due shown on the front, by the due date. Please include the coupon with your payment. Write your Notice Number and your license plate number on your check or money order. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.
- Pay through the internet with your credit card at
www.ViolationInfo.com. Use your Notice Number and PIN printed on the front of this notice
to login. There is a $4 convenience fee.
- Pay in person, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.
- Pay by phone (Payment Center): Call 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday Toll Free at
1-866-790-4111. There is a $4 convenience fee.
- What type of infraction is this?
- An infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera is a non-criminal offense
for which you cannot go to jail. The penalty for this infraction, like a parking ticket, is not part of
the violator’s driving record.
Therefore, a finding that the infraction was committed – either by payment or after a hearing –
will not be reported to the Department of Licensing. However, failure to respond to a Notice of Infraction,
appear for a requested hearing or pay if found committed at a hearing, may result in a hold being
placed on your vehicle registration and license tabs. You may also incur additional penalties, and unpaid
fines will be sent to a collection agency.
- What if I was not driving the offending vehicle during the time of the violation?
- You can submit a declaration of non-responsibility. Instructions are included on your Notice of Infraction.
- Where can I view photos and video of the incident?
- Violators may view photos and video of the incident on any computer at
www.violationinfo.com. Those who don’t have access to a computer can use the computers
in the public libraries, visit City Hall or call 1-866-790-4111 for more information.
- Where can I read the Lake Forest Park code that covers automated traffic safety cameras?
- The City code is available online.
Click to go to the Municipal Code.
- I was driving under the speed limit, but I still saw flashes from the camera taking photos. Why?
- The camera may have been taking photos of a vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction, or
that was located in front or back of you.
- Who do I call if I have further questions?
- Call the ATS at 1-866-790-4111 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
posted April 29, 2009
Letter to Neighbors
April 29, 2009
Dear Neighbors:
The City Council and I have heard concerns from you and your neighbors that the vehicles travel too fast along NE 178th Street and 35th Avenue NE, especially in school zones.
You may have noticed new speed limit signs along these two streets. The signs indicate that the speed is 20 miles per hour between 7 am and 4:30 pm. These signs are part of a new program to use “automated traffic enforcement” to further our goals of creating a safe environment in Lake Forest Park. Each year, hundreds of speeding citations are issued in school zones throughout Lake Forest Park. Speeding is related to almost one third of all fatal crashes nationally. The implementation of the photo enforcement camera system will help us reduce speeding and increase safety near our schools.
The camera system will only operate on school days between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. within the designated school zones on 35th Ave NE and NE 178th Street. These locations were selected as a safety priority because of the proximity to Brookside and Lake Forest Park elementary schools.
The system will detect violations, and a short video and photograph of the rear of the vehicle while it is speeding will be recorded. The driver of the speeding vehicle will not be photographed. Prior to the citation being issued, a Lake Forest Park Police Officer will review the potential violation to determine if it is valid. All photo enforcement citations are a non-criminal offense--like a parking ticket. The citations are not part of the violator’s driving record.
Our goal is to reduce speeding near schools and provide safe passage through the area for drivers and pedestrians alike. For additional information on our photo enforcement system please see our City’s website, www.cityoflfp.com/speed-camera.
Sincerely,
David R. Hutchinson
Mayor |
