Police Department > Automated Traffic Safety Program
CITY OF POULSBO AUTOMATED TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM
The City of Poulsbo Automated Traffic Safety Program is designed to create safer roadways for all users in and around the community. The program’s goal is to reduce speeds through high-traffic school and park zones, change driver behavior at critical intersections, and reduce traffic violations to enhance road safety for all users.
The City of Poulsbo has partnered with Verra Mobility to utilize state-of-the-art safety cameras to help decrease potential violations in school and park zone locations and reduce the number of violations, crashes, and injuries caused by motorists running red lights.
Automated traffic safety cameras have been proven effective in reducing crashes and pedestrian-related injuries. Most importantly, communities that use traffic safety cameras consistently report safer roads surrounding the program.
RED LIGHT SAFETY PROGRAM DETAILS
Cameras can help. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that cameras reduced the fatal red light running crash rate of cities by 21% and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14%.
Due to safety concerns in Poulsbo, red-light safety cameras will be catching violators to help change driver behavior at dangerous intersections.
Where:
- State Route 305 at Bond Rd.
Violation Fines:
The monetary penalty amount for a red-light infraction is $145.00.
How it Works:
SCHOOL ZONE SPEED SAFETY PROGRAM DETAILS
Where:
- Entrance to Poulsbo Elementary at Noll Road
Violation Fines:
A school zone speed infraction is implemented at three levels:
- A vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 6MPH – 10MPH is subject to a fine of $150.
- A vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 11MPH – 15MPH is subject to a fine of $200.
- A vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 16+ MPH is subject to a fine of $250.
How it Works:
The school zone speed safety cameras use a fixed-speed safety system.
The system identifies any vehicle traveling at or above the enforceable speed limit. Photos are taken to show proof of the violation. The first image shows the vehicle driving in excess of the speed limit. A second image shows vehicle data including a close-up of the license plate and the distance and time of the violations.
Violations can be viewed at www.violationinfo.com.
Local law enforcement reviews and approves the Notice of violation, which is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The speed safety camera installations represent state-of-the-art technology that is precise and unbiased in its ability to identify vehicles speeding.
PARK ZONE SPEED SAFETY PROGRAM DETAILS
The park zone speed safety program helps ensure that drivers pay more attention and obey traffic control devices and is one of many tools the city utilizes to reduce speeding and keep the community safe.
The use of park zone speed safety cameras in Poulsbo was authorized under the State statute RCW 46.63.170 in 2022, which provides additional opportunities for cities and counties to expand their use of speed safety cameras.
Where:
- Fish Park – NB Viking Avenue near Stendahl Court
Violation Fines:
The monetary penalty amount for a park zone speed infraction is $145.00.
How it Works:
The City of Poulsbo utilizes fixed-speed safety systems. The systems identify any vehicle traveling faster than the speed limit. Video records the violation, and all the proof items (such as license plate, date, time, and vehicle speed) are then sent to local law enforcement officials who confirm the violation.
Notice of Violations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle after police review and approval of the data and recorded images.
The speed safety camera installations represent state-of-the-art technology that is precise and unbiased in its ability to identify vehicles speeding.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why did I receive a Notice of Infraction?
The Notice is sent to the registered vehicle owner. The Notice represents a determination that an infraction has been committed by the person named in the Notice. As the registered owner of the vehicle described on the Notice, the vehicle owner is alleged to have either:
- failed to come to a complete stop, and remain stopped, at a clearly marked stop line or other stopping point while facing a steady circular red signal; OR,
- exceeded the speed limit in a school zone when warning lights are flashing and signs indicating the speed limit is enforced with automated traffic safety cameras; OR,
- exceeded the speed limit in a public park zone enforced with automated traffic safety cameras.
Will this be reported to my insurance or go against my driving record?
An infraction detected through an automated traffic safety camera is a non-criminal offense for which imprisonment may not be imposed as a sanction. The penalty for an infraction, like a parking ticket, will not become part of the driving record. However, failure to respond to a Notice of Infraction, or failure to appear for a requested hearing for the purpose of contesting the determination or for the purpose of explaining mitigating circumstances, may result in refusal of the department to renew the vehicle registration until any penalties imposed have been satisfied.
How much is the fine?
The monetary penalty amount for a red-light infraction and park zone speed infraction is $145.00.
A school zone speed infraction is implemented at three levels:
a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 6MPH – 10MPH is subject to a fine of $150.00;
a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 11MPH – 15MPH is subject to a fine of $200.00;
a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 16+ MPH is subject to a fine of $250.00.
How do I pay the fine?
- PAY ONLINE: The fastest and easiest way to pay is online. Go to poulsbomunipayments.com.
A fee may apply for online payments.
- PAYMENT BY MAIL: Send bottom portion of your citation along with a check or money order payable to the following address. Be sure to include the License Plate and Notice number on the face of your payment.
Poulsbo Municipal Court
Traffic Safety Enforcement Program
200 NE Moe Street
Poulsbo, WA 98370
*Please do NOT mail cash.
*No out-of-state checks
Your payment must be received on or before the Due Date shown on the front of your Notice of Citation. If you have any questions regarding payments, please contact Poulsbo Municipal Court at 1-(360)-779-9846.
- PAY BY PHONE: 360-626-6073 (bilingual support offered for phone payments only).
What if I don’t agree with my speeding citation? How can I dispute it?
Complete the information on the coupon and make sure the mailing address is showing in the envelope window.
MITIGATION HEARING: By requesting a mitigation hearing, you agree to appear at your scheduled hearing and will be deemed to have committed the infraction. You may not subpoena witnesses for this hearing. You will request a mitigation hearing if you agree the infraction was committed but believe the circumstances may be such that the court could reduce or waive the penalty. You will be notified in writing of your mitigation hearing date.
CONTESTED HEARING: At a contested hearing, the City of Poulsbo has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the infraction was committed. By requesting a contested hearing, you agree to appear at your scheduled hearing. You may subpoena witnesses, including the officer who issued this Notice of Infraction. You will be notified in writing of your contested hearing date. Please review the video at www.ViolationInfo.com prior to requesting a hearing.
ABILITY TO PAY HEARING: By request an ability to pay hearing, you admit responsibility for the infraction and agree to appear at your scheduled hearing to provide evidence regarding your inability to pay the penalty in full.
For questions regarding hearing options, call the Poulsbo Municipal Court at 360-779-9846.
What if I lost my Notice of Citation?
Please call 1-866-790-4111 and have your license plate number readily available.
What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation?
The registered owner of a vehicle will be mailed the Notice of Violation. If your vehicle/plate was stolen or you are a rental/lease car agency, you may complete an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility and attach supporting documentation found on www.violationinfo.com.
The Affidavit must be received by the due date of your Notice. The Affidavit and supporting documentation will be reviewed and will result in either dismissal of the notice or the scheduling of an administrative hearing. You will be notified in writing of any action taken.
Will “points” be assessed on my driving record?
A violation for which a civil monetary penalty is imposed pursuant to Washington shall be deemed noncriminal and no points assigned.
How can I see the video and images captured for my Notice of Violation?
The recorded images and video will be submitted as evidence in any administrative hearing for this violation. You may view your images online at www.ViolationInfo.com. You will need your Citation # and PIN shown on the front of the Notice of Citation.
Can I receive citations for other offenses as a result of the Speed Safety Camera violation?
No. Drivers who receive speed safety camera citations are cited for speed citations only.