Common Questions About the Program About the Orlando Stops Program
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COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM ABOUT THE ORLANDO STOPS PROGRAM 1) Why has the City of Orlando decided to implement the Orlando Stops Safety Program? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, annually nearly 2 million crashes occur in intersections. In 2005, red light running resulted in 800 fatalities and over 165,000 injuries. It is believed that an automated red light camera program will reduce the number of red light crashes and injuries associated with such crashes. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in the City of Orlando. 2) How does the red light camera system work? The cameras are activated by sensors which are located at the intersection. The system is only activated when a vehicle fails to stop for a red light before entering the intersection. The camera takes digital photos and video which record the event. The cameras operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and in all weather conditions. 3) What is the Traffic Infraction Officer’s job? A Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer reviews the captured event in order to determine if in fact the vehicle violated the traffic law. The officer’s job is to view the images and video and determine if the vehicle entered into the intersection while the vehicle was faced with a red traffic signal. Entering the intersection while faced with a red traffic signal constitutes an infraction. A Notice of Violation is approved by the officer and sent by the City of Orlando to the registered owner of the vehicle. 4) May I speak with the Traffic Infraction Officer that issued my violation? Yes, call 407-246-2060 and provide your NOV number. NOTICE OF VIOLATION QUESTIONS 5) What are the images shown on my Notice of Violation? Notices of Violation contain three images; A) The vehicles license plate/tag indentifying the vehicle and its registered owner. B) The vehicle--- before it enters the intersection vehicle is faced with a red traffic light signal. C) The vehicle--- is in the intersection and still faced with a red traffic light signal. 6) Where do I go to view the images and video of my violation? Go to www.violationinfo.com Enter your NOV# and Pin # 7) I received a Notice of Violation, and I viewed the images and video online. What are my options? The owner has 60 days to take one of four options: (a) Pay the $158 statutory penalty; (b) Submit an affidavit transferring the liability to the driver at the time of the violation; 1 If the owner submits an affidavit establishing the liability of another driver, the driver identified in the affidavit will be sent a Notice of Violation. (c) Establish one of the other statutory exemptions from liability; (d) Request a hearing before a local hearing officer. If the owner does not take one of the four options specified in (a) through (d) within the 60-day notice of violation period, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued to the owner in the amount of $262.00. UTC’s are payable to Orange County Courthouse. 8) How is the Notice of Violation sent to the vehicle owner? -The Notice of Violation is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle by first class mail. NOV envelopes are scanned and logged in order to record its delivery date. 9) Why did I receive this Notice of Violation? Based on the Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer’s review of images and video, your vehicle failed to stop before entering the crosswalk when faced with a red traffic light signal. 10) Where can I go to view the best quality images? Go to www.violationinfo.com and enter your NOV number and Pin number. 11) Where can I view the video recording of the violation? Go to www.violationinfo.com and enter your NOV number and Pin number. 12) Where can I find the Notice of Violation number and Pin number? Both numbers are located on the lower shaded half of the Notice of Violation. 13) Can I set up a payment plan for the civil penalty indicated on the Notice of Violation? No. The civil penalty must be paid in full. 14) How many days do I have to pay the Notice of Violation? -You have 60 days from the date the Notice was issued. The due date is indicated on the Notice. 15) How many days do I have to request an administrative hearing on a Notice of Violation? You have 60 days from the date the Notice was issued. The due date is indicated on the Notice. 16) What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation? A Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued in the amount of $262.00. 17) Does the Notice of Violation affect my driver’s license? No points are assessed against your driver’s license in the state of Florida for red light camera violations. Also, payment of this violation will result in no record entry linked to your driver’s license. However, the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Citation may result in a record entry linked to your driver’s license. 18) What will happen if I forget to pay the Notice of Violation? Once the due date on the Notice expires, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued in the amount of $262.00. 19) What is the difference between a Notice of Violation and Uniform Traffic Citation? - A Notice of Violation is handled by the issuing municipality as a local civil violation. It’s an opportunity to pay a lesser amount of $158.00. It never shows up on your driving record, or County Courthouse Traffic Record. 2 - A Uniform Traffic Citation is a charging affidavit and is identical to a citation issued by a law enforcement officer if you were pulled over for a red light traffic violation. It will show up on the County Courthouse Traffic Record and may show up on your driving record. 20) Can I pay the Notice of Violation by telephone? -Yes, call toll free 855-536-8259 (must call on or before the due date). There are no processing fees 21) I was not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. -Go to our website and fill out a sworn Affidavit of Defense. You will need the driver’s; A) Full Name B) Full Address C) Full Date of Birth and D) Driver’s License Number (if known). This form must be completely and properly filled out and signed in front of a Notary Public. This form must be submitted on or before the due date indicated on the Notice of Violation. 22) How does a Notice of Violation become a Uniform Traffic Citation? -When an individual fails to take any action within the sixty (60) days from the date the Notice of Violation is issued. Once an individual requests a hearing, pays the penalty, or submits an Affidavit of Defenses, a Uniform Traffic Citation will not be issued to that individual. PAYING THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION 23) What are my payment options for the Notice of Violation? A) Pay in person at Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Ave, Orlando Florida 32801. B) Pay online: www.violationinfo.com C) Pay by mail: City of Orlando, P.O. Box 4990 Orlando, Florida 32802-4990. D) Pay by Phone: call 1-855-536-8259. (Have NOV number and Pin number available). 24) Can I set up a payment plan on a Notice of Violation? No. The $158.00 civil penalty must be paid in full. 25) Can I pay the civil penalty of $158.00 at the Orange County Court house? -No. The courthouse does not have any knowledge of the violation since the Uniform Traffic Citation has not been issued yet. Please make payment to the City of Orlando, Orlando Stops 400 S. Orange Ave Orlando, Florida 32802. 26) Why is payment not accepted via internet or phone once it is past the due date on the Notice of Violation? -Because a Uniform Traffic Citation is about to be issued for the amount of $262.00. 27) Can I pay the Notice of Violation by credit card or debit card? -Yes, if the Notice is not past due. There are no processing fees. 28) Can I pay the NOV with a personal bank check? 3 -Yes, please include the NOV number on the check. 29) What if I lost the Notice of Violation that was mailed to me? -Call 407-246-2060 and have the license plate/tag number of the vehicle available. 30) What happens when I pay the Notice of Violation penalty amount of $158.00? If the penalty amount is paid on or before the due date indicated on the Notice of Violation, the Uniform Traffic Citation will not be issued and the case will be closed. TRANSFERRING THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION 31) Why is the Notice of Violation sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, and not to the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the violation? Pursuant to Florida Statute, the registered owner of the vehicle is deemed responsible for their vehicle since the vehicle is the property of the owner. Much like a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver of the vehicle. 32) What if I am the registered owner of the vehicle, but not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation? The registered owner may fill out a sworn Affidavit of Defense; you will need the driver’s. A) Full Name B) Address C) Date of Birth and Driver’s License Number if known.