Photo Radar Enforcement

Red light cameras help to keep our crosswalks safe and prevent dangerous side impact crashes. Photo radar assists in reducing speeds to protect sensitive populations in school zones, construction zones, residential neighborhoods, and near parks.

In Denver, the data demonstrates clearly the safety benefit of this program. At the four locations where red light cameras operate, incidents of red light running have decreased and accidents have gone down.

The data from photo radar vans is conclusive as well. The presence of the van for five consecutive days results in a 21% reduction in excessive speeding (vehicles traveling 10+ MPH over the speed limit).

Crashes, Near Misses, and Pedestrians

National Research

National research has demonstrated the life-saving impact of photo enforcement programs.  In cities that turned on red light cameras, there were 21 percent fewer fatal red light running crashes per capita.  In cities that turned off red light cameras, there were 30 percent more fatal red light running crashes per capita [citation: Statistical information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, July 2016.].

Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras – U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

New York City Red Light Camera Program: Program Review 1994-2015 – New York City Department of Transportation

Photo speed has been used in Denver to improve traffic safety since 1998.  The red light program has been in operation since 2008.  Currently, Denver has four intersections equipped with red light cameras and operates 5 photo speed vans for two shifts 7 days a week. 

Data tracking on the photo enforcement programs occurs regularly, including reports compiled by DPD and Public Works. The technologies have demonstrated an impact on speeds and crashes. The presence of photo radar vans has been shown to significantly reduce excessive speeding where it is deployed. 

Photo Speed Program

• A Photo Enforcement Agent is ALWAYS in the van during enforcement
• A "Photo Radar In Use" sign is required to be displayed 300 feet in advance of the van
• RADAR equipment is certified annually and the calibration is tested before and after each enforcement
• WORK ZONE enforcements are coordinated with construction companies and CDOT
• When school is in session, enforcement at school zones is the priority

 Photo Red Light Program

• Fines are assessed for “stop-bar” violations and for “through” violations
• Red Light Program intersection maps:
        

The photo enforcement program is a smart and effective tool that allows the Denver Police Department to work smarter to improve safety for all Denver residents. Many organizations have expressed support for use of photo enforcement as a tool to maintain safe neighborhoods, crosswalks and overall traffic safety. These include the International Institute for Highway Safety, the Colorado Chiefs of Police Association, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Denver’s Commission on Aging, Commission for People with Disabilities, Walk Denver, and various RNOs including Capitol Hill United Neighbors.

Process Overview

A team of dedicated individuals work to ensure the integrity of the program.  From setting up the equipment to issuing a citation, the Denver Police Department is vigilant.  Additionally, after a citation has been issued, there is a process in place to pay the fine and clear the citation.

Photo Enforcement Unit Citation Process(PDF, 121KB)

Q: How are enforcement locations chosen?

Denver works to thoughtfully use photo red light technology. Decisions on placement of our red light enforced approaches and radar vans are determined through a variety of factors including:

• Complaints from residents on speed issues
• Compliance data
• Restricted speed zones to protect sensitive populations like school zones, CDOT and other street/highway construction zones

Q: Are there points assessed on my license?

No, unlike a speeding ticket (or red-light running ticket) issued by a police officer on the scene, photo radar tickets are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Q: Why are tickets issued for stopping past the stop-bar?

Red light cameras keep crosswalks safe and clear for pedestrians, especially our disabled and aging populations. It is necessary to ensure that crosswalks are accessible and secure, especially for those that are mobility and visually impaired, including seniors.

Stop Line violations (crossing the white bar at a crosswalk) are only issued when the front tires of a vehicle have completely crossed the white stop line.  This type of violation results in a $40.00 fine.  If a vehicle’s two rear tires have crossed the white stop line, the fine is set at $75.00. Drivers are free to turn right on red, but only after coming to a complete stop behind the stop line first. 

Q: Does reducing speed make a difference?

Yes. It can be the difference between a fatal or survivable collision.

Q: I've heard that a photo enforcement violation isn't legal and I don't have to pay for it.  Is that true?

Photo red light violations have the same legal obligations as any other traffic violation. As directed by City Council, Denver first issues a Notice of Violation as an advisement with a request to respond within 15 days. If no action is taken by the vehicle owner after 45 days, a Penalty Assessment Notice (PAN) will be served via personal service or certified mail. A PAN is a legal document charging the person named and the vehicle owner is compelled by law to respond to this PAN. An additional fee is assessed if a PAN must be issued.  If this legal document is ignored, a default judgment could be entered and the citation could be sent to collections.

The state legislature has limited maximum fines associated with photo red light violations to $75 and photo speed violation to $40 ($80 if in a school zone) and has mandated that no points may be issued against a license for the violations.

Q: Is this program just a way for the City to make money?

The singular reason that photo enforcement is used is because it improves safety on Denver’s roadways. Red-light cameras are intended to impact driver behavior. The data from the program shows the program is working as intended. Approximately 75 percent of red-light running violations are committed by first-time violators. This means that once a driver is issued a citation, they are very unlikely to run a red light again. Their behavior changes and crashes are thereby decreased. Moreover, as driver behavior changes, there are fewer violations and therefore fewer citations.

Though these revenues are not segregated for a specific purpose, the fines collected by the City have been used in previous years to significantly expand multi-modal safety options in the city including enhanced crosswalks, intersection safety improvements, and Vision Zero related safety studies.  The funds have also been used to make improvements, upgrade and replace traffic signals, and install neighborhood traffic calming measures.

As with all fines issued by the Denver Police Department, the revenue goes into the General Fund.

Q: Does the system ever malfunction and issue citations mistakenly?

In the case of photo radar vans, a live person from the photo enforcement unit (PEU) is inside the vehicle monitoring all captured incidents. PEU personnel go through the same training on use of radar as radar-certified uniformed officers and, like uniformed officers issuing tickets, our policy is that the PEU agent must accurately estimate a vehicle’s speed within +/- 5 MPH in order for a citation to be issued. All photo red light citations are reviewed by a DPD PEU agent to determine if a violation occurred. Notices of violation are issued to the first registered owner of a vehicle and the owner has multiple options for reviewing the incident captured for accuracy and contesting the violation, including moving to a court date.

Not all violations detected are issued. In fact, from 2009-2013, only 58.8% of photo red light violations detected were issued and 79.5% of detected photo radar violations were issued. Reasons for non-issuance include poor driver image, plate obstructed, unclear scene images, and observation error.

Q:  What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation?

Failure to respond to the notice may result in a Penalty Assessment Notice being authorized by the Denver Police Department. This Penalty Assessment Notice will be personally served by a process server and will result in a service fee of at least $29.00.  If a Penalty Assessment Notice is served you will be required to appear in court unless payment is received 5 business days prior to the respond by/arraignment date listed on the Penalty Assessment Notice.

The respond by/arraignment date is listed on the served Penalty Assessment Notice. This respond by date is your arraignment date. You will need to pay the fine and costs including the personal service fee, submit a not pictured driver affidavit or nominate the driver (not required to) within 15 days of the respond by/arraignment date. If you wish to plead not guilty you need to go to the Denver County Court, Room 135 by 5:00 PM on the respond by date.

Q:  Will I receive points on my driving record for a photo speed/red light ticket?

No. Photo Speed violations are zero point Traffic Infractions that are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Q:  What if I am not the person pictured in the violation notice?

You may sign and mail in the 'Not Pictured Driver Affidavit' located on the back of your Notice of Violation or Penalty Assessment Notice. You must submit a legible, clear photocopy of your driver’s license with the 'Not Pictured Driver Affidavit'. The affidavit and supporting documentation will be reviewed by a Denver Police Department employee and a determination will be made regarding the identity of the actual driver. If further information is required, you may be contacted by the Photo Enforcement Unit. In most cases, you will be notified by mail of the outcome of the Denver Police Department review. 

• If it is determined that you are not the driver, the case against you will be dismissed.  
• If your affidavit is not accepted, the Notice of Violation will remain in your name. If you set your case for final hearing and your 'Not Pictured Driver Affidavit' is not accepted, a Photo Enforcement Agent will appear on the day of final hearing.

A false representation that you are not the pictured driver may subject you to criminal prosecution and penalties according to Denver Revised Municipal Code 38-40, False Information. 

Q:  Do I have to identify the driver in the violation and what happens if I do?

You are not required to nominate (or identify) the driver in order to have your 'Not Pictured Affidavit' reviewed by the Denver Police Department.

If you choose to nominate the driver, the Nomination Affidavit information is reviewed by a Denver Police Department employee. If it is accepted, the notice of violation against you will be cancelled and placed in the name of the person nominated. If a Penalty Assessment Notice was served and/or filed in the Denver County Court, the Denver Police Department will submit a motion via our City Attorney to dismiss the case against you and the Notice of Violation or Penalty Assessment Notice will be issued to the individual you nominated.

If the Nomination Affidavit is not accepted, the Notice of Violation will remain in your name. If you set your case for final hearing and your nomination of another driver is not accepted, a Photo Enforcement Agent will appear on the day of final hearing.

Q:  How do I request a photo enforcement citation review?

Call the Photo Enforcement Unit at 720-337-1114 if you wish to request a review of your Photo Enforcement citation. Please note that:

• Citation reviews are a courtesy, not a right.
• All reviews must be scheduled in advance by calling the Photo Enforcement Unit.
• Reviews may not result in the dismissal or cancellation of the notice against you.
• Be sure to review the images online before contacting us for a review.  If you are unable to access your images online, please call the Photo Enforcement Unit.
• No documents relating to the specific photo speed or photo red light enforcement will be presented or shared with you during the review.
• This review does not constitute discovery under the Colorado Court Rules. 
• The review is not the opportunity to debate the merits of the violation or the Photo Enforcement Program.
• Abusive behavior and language will not be tolerated. Individuals who engage in such behavior will immediately be escorted from the facility and may be charged with DRMC 38-89, Disturbance of the Peace or other appropriate charges.
• No weapons of any kind are allowed in the Review Room.
• All individuals may be required to go through a metal detector prior to entering the room.

If you feel the wrong vehicle or person was cited, please call the Photo Enforcement Unit for a review while you are on the phone.  This phone review will not address whether you are the pictured driver but will address whether the right person or vehicle is cited as in violation.

Q:  How do I plead not guilty?

To plead not guilty, you must take your Self-Filing Coupon (Self Filing Penalty Assessment Notice) or the Penalty Assessment Notice you were personally served to the Denver County Court, Traffic Division, Room 135, 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202 in the City between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Fridays, to enter your not guilty plea and receive a final hearing date.  Please do not call the court requesting information about your photo enforcement citation. They are not able to answer any questions regarding Notices of Violation. They are only able to answer court related questions regarding your citation.   

You do not need to plead not guilty to have the Denver Police Department review your notice of violation for not pictured driver or nomination. 

Q:  Why was I personally served if I paid my citation or plead not guilty?

If the Police Department Photo Enforcement Unit does not receive a response from you before the "respond by" date on the notice of violation, a penalty assessment notice is printed and sent to the process server for personal service. Payment or cancellation of the notice may occur after the notice has been sent to the process server.

All personally served citations are reviewed by an employee of the Denver Police Department. If payment was received and credited prior to the personal service or the notice was otherwise cancelled (not the pictured driver, plate misread, etc.), the personal service fee will be cancelled. If payment is received after personal service, this fee will be due. If the personal service fee is due, you will receive a letter indicating this.  

Safe driving protects you and the community.  Here are some tips for how to be a safe driver:

• Safe Driving Tips from the Colorado Department of Transportation
• Safe Driving Tips from the Center for Disease Control
• How to drive safely in winter conditions, from the National Highway Safety Administration

Distracted driving is a dangerous and growing concern for all communities. Learn more and commit to safer and distraction-free driving from https://www.codot.gov/safety/distracteddriving.