Here is some information on our city's new Red Light Photo Program. Be careful out there!
Red Light Warning - Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the City of Conroe implemented a Photo Enforcement Program?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2 million crashes annually occur in intersections. In 2007, red-light running resulted in almost 900 fatalities and 153,000 injuries.
Red-light running is a problem. It is believed that an automated red-light camera program will reduce the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with these crashes. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in the City of Conroe. The goal of the program is to reduce red-light running violations, crashes, 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 the red-light cameras located?
The intersections with camera installations are listed below. Each intersection is marked clearly with signs.
- N/B Hwy 75 (Frazier) @ N. Loop 336 W
S/B Hwy 75 (Frazier) @ N. Loop 336 W
E/B N. Loop 336 W @ Hwy 75 (Frazier)
W/B N. Loop 336 W @ Hwy 75 (Frazier)
N/B Hwy 75 (Frazier) @ Hwy 105
S/B Hwy 75 (Frazier) @ W. Phillips
E/B Hwy 105 @ Highland Hollow
E/B Hwy 105 @ N. 10th St.
E/B Hwy 105 @ Sgt. Ed Holcomb Blvd.
S/B Hwy 75 (Frazier) @ S. Loop 336W
What company provides the red-light camera program in City?
The City of Conroe has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) which provides red-light and speed camera enforcement programs for more than 200 communities across North America. More information about ATS is available at http://www.atsol.com/ or http://www.redlightcamera.com/.
How does the red-light 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 actually runs the red light?
The red-light camera system 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 red-light 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 red-light camera system and causing the flash to discharge.
The Police Department reviews each violation event captured by the red-light camera system and makes the final decision to issue a citation.
What to do if you receive a Notice of Violation
Why did I receive this Notice of Violation?
Based upon 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?
The fine is $75.00 for each offense.
How much time do I have to pay my Notice of Violation?
You must pay the civil penalty on or before the due date on your Notice of Violation. The due date for payment is located on the top and bottom right of your Notice of Violation.
What are my options?
Visit http://www.violationinfo.com/ to view information about your Notice of Violation. You will be asked to enter your Notice number and PIN number, found on the front of your Warning or Notice of Violation in the upper right corner, inside the red box. By clicking on the graphic at left you will leave the City of Conroe site.
1. Pay the fine.
- § Pay Online. Logon to http://www.violationinfo.com/ by entering your Notice number and PIN number shown in the red box on the front right of your Notice. Click the Pay button. There is a convenience fee of $4.00 that will be assessed at the time of payment.
- § Pay by Mail. Mail your check or money order, payable to the City of Conroe in the enclosed envelope along with the coupon printed at the bottom of the notice. Write the Notice number and the license plate number on your check or money order. Do not mail cash.
The mailing address is: City of Conroe, Automated Red Light Enforcement, P.O. Box 742503, Cincinnati, OH 45274-2503.
- § Pay by Credit Card. Call toll free 1-866-790-4111 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. There is a convenience fee of $4.00 that will be assessed at the time of payment.
- § Pay in Person. You may drop off your payment in person at the Conroe Municipal Court, 700 Old Montgomery Road, Conroe, TX 77305, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
2. Request a hearing.
You may contest the imposition of the civil penalty by requesting an administrative hearing. You
must sign the coupon on the back of the Notice of Violation and mail it in the enclosed envelope so that it is received by the due date stated on the front of the Notice. When the administrative hearing is scheduled, you will be notified of the location, date and time of your hearing. If you request a hearing and fail to appear at the time and place of the hearing, it is considered an admission of liability and a waiver of your right to appeal the imposition of the civil penalty. The request for an administrative hearing may subject the violator to an administration fee if found liable or if a Failure to Appear judgment is made.
3. Submit a Declaration of Non-Liability.
If you feel that you received the violation in error under one of the affirmative defenses outlined in the City of Conroe ordinance, you may submit a Declaration of Non-Liability by mail, or you may submit the Declaration of Non-Liability at an Administrative Hearing. The Declaration of Non-Liability form can be obtained from the website at www.ViolationInfo.com. You will need your Notice # and PIN printed on the front of the violation notice.
What if I was not the driver/owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation?
Per the City of Conroe, you may request a hearing and submit an Declaration of Non-Liability by mail. The Declaration must be filled out accurately and in its entirety. You may obtain this form either by downloading and printing the form from http://www.violationinfo.com/ or visiting the Court in person. Bring the completed form to the Court in person on your hearing date.
What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation?
Failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability prior to the due date on the Notice is an admission of liability, and failure to appear at an administrative adjudication hearing after having requested a hearing is an admission of liability and constitutes a waiver of the right to appeal. Failure to pay the civil penalty by the due date on the Notice of Violation shall result in the imposition of a late-payment fee of $25. If the second notice remains unpaid, collections and entry of a judgment against you may proceed.
Will I receive any points on my driving record for this Violation?
No. This is a civil Violation that is not reported to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Will my insurance rates be affected?
No. This is a civil Violation and is not reported to any insurance agencies.
Will the red-light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. A violation of the City of Conroe Ordinance 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.
What if I was issued a citation from an officer for the same offense?
The citation issued by a police officer takes precedence over the Notice of Violation. You must request an adjudication hearing and bring both the citation and the Notice of Violation with you to the hearing. The adjudication hearing officer will take the appropriate actions.
I have received multiple Notices of Violation; do I have to send in a separate payment for each?
No. You may send one check in one envelope - but you must include payment coupons for each Notice of Violation you received. If you received three violation notices, you may send in one check and three coupons with each Notice number written on your check.
What if my check bounces?
You will be responsible for a returned check fee of $25.00 - in addition to any late fees and the original fine amount. You will receive a letter from the City of Conroe detailing the new amount due.
What is the refund policy?
A refund check may be issued under the following circumstances:
- § Duplicate and/or overpayment of a Notice of Violation; or
- § Overpayment of the Notice of Violation as a result of a hearing.
If you are entitled to a refund, please submit your request on the Red-Light Refund Form and send to the address specified at the top of the form.
Can I make payments in installments or set up a payment plan?
No. Payment plans are not available.
My payment has already been sent; will I still be charged late fees?
Late fees will NOT be assessed if your payment is postmarked on or before the due date located on the front of your Notice of Violation.
I paid the violation; why did I receive another Notice?
The Notice you just received could be for additional violations or it could be a second notice which is now a Delinquent Notice. If it is a Delinquent Notice, chances are that your payment and the Notice crossed in the mail. It can take as many as 10 business days to show in the system once it has reached our office. Call 1-866-790-4111 to confirm that your payment was received.
My payment has already been sent; will I still be charged late fees?
Late fees will NOT be assessed if your payment is postmarked on or before the due date located on the front of your Notice of Violation.
Do I have to pay my fine the day of the hearing?
You must pay the full fine amount within 60 days of a liable judgment.
What happens if I do not pay the Notice of Violation?
The City of Conroe will begin collections of the civil penalty through a collections agency.
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.
You must request a hearing in writing on or before the due date listed on the top and bottom right of your notice in order to request a review of your Notice of Violation before a hearing officer as detailed in the City Conroe Ordinance.
How do I know that these violations are valid?
Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by an Automated Intersection Safety System. 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 the CITY Police Department before the alleged civil Violation was affirmed and mailed to you as the registered owner or identified driver. You have the option of contesting the Notice of Violation by requesting a hearing in writing.
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 2006, 144,000 injuries and nearly 900 fatalities in the U.S. were attributed to red-light running. There were more than 1.8 million accidents at intersections.
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 red-light camera program will promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of Conroe's citizens.
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.
Sources: "Stop Red Light Running," Federal Highway Administration Safety Website: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/srlr.htm.2002.
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.
Red-light Cameras Increase Safety by Changing Driver Behavior in the Long Run
In a 2007 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, researchers tallied signal violations at intersections in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before and after red-light camera enforcement was in effect for about one year and found the cameras reduced violations by 96 percent.
Since May 2007, the city of St. Louis, Missouri has experienced a 49 percent reduction in citations at the first two photo-enforced intersections.
The city of Cathedral City, California reported a 50 percent decrease in the number of citations issued since 2007 and a 30 percent decrease in the number of reported traffic collisions at photo-enforced intersections.
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.
After the first six months of its Intersection Safety Program, Houston, Texas reported a 30 percent 
decrease in overall crashes.
From 1994-2005, red-light running violations decreased 73% in New York City.
Accidents are down 11 percent in intersections with red-light cameras in Arnold, Missouri. At one intersection in front of a school, accidents decreased 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.
In Calgary, Canada, the city reported a 29.4 percent decrease in total right-angle collisions, a 39.4 percent decrease in injury right-angle collisions, and a 100 percent decrease in fatal right-angle collisions.
Statistics from the Red Bank, Tennessee Police Department show a 13.8 percent reduction in collisions citywide on a year-over-year basis. Collision reductions at camera-equipped intersections resulted in even greater reductions.
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That is the program. Drive carefully and have a great day!!
Ron Wickes
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