Cedar Rapids Camera Tickets: What's The Cost?

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has several automated traffic cameras in place to enforce speed and red-light violations. These cameras are located on Interstate 380 and at various intersections in the city. If a vehicle is caught speeding or running a red light by one of these cameras, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a citation or ticket in the mail. While these tickets are civil infractions and do not affect insurance rates, they still need to be paid. Failure to pay can result in the city placing a civil lien against the vehicle's license plates, making it difficult to renew the registration. The fine for speeding in Cedar Rapids ranges from $75 to $500, depending on how much over the speed limit the driver was going. While some people choose to ignore these tickets, it is important to note that the city can take steps to collect the fine and there may be additional consequences for not paying.

Fines and payments

Automated traffic cameras in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are an important law enforcement tool to enhance road safety and reduce crashes and injuries resulting from speeding and red-light violations. The Cedar Rapids Police Department issues citations with fines that vary according to the severity of the violation.

Fine Amounts

The fines for speeding violations are as follows:

• 11-20 mph over the limit: $75
• 21-25 mph over the limit: $100
• 26-30 mph over the limit: $250
• 31+ mph over the limit: $500

Red-light violations incur a $100 fine.

Payment Methods

Citations can be paid online via the Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com) using the citation number and PIN provided on the citation. Alternatively, individuals can contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department via email at atecedarrapids@cedar-rapids.org or by phone at 319-286-5513 for further information on payment methods.

Non-Payment Consequences

Failure to pay Cedar Rapids camera tickets can result in civil remedies pursued by the city. One possible consequence is a civil lien against the vehicle owner's license plates, impacting their ability to renew their registration. The city may also initiate a municipal infraction process to determine liability and seek payment through various means, including voluntary payment, income tax refund offsets, and collection agencies. However, it's important to note that non-payment of these tickets will not affect your driving record, insurance rates, or credit score.

Insurance implications

Cedar Rapids' automated traffic camera system has been the subject of some controversy, with some seeing it as a money-making scheme and others as a proven method of making roads safer. The cameras are placed at nine locations in the city, plus there is one mobile radar. Four speed cameras are on I-380, and five cameras enforcing speed and red-light violations are located in the city.

The insurance implications of Cedar Rapids' camera tickets are a concern for many drivers. While a speeding ticket from a camera may not affect your insurance rates directly, there are still potential consequences to consider. Here is a detailed look at the insurance implications:

• Nature of the Violation: Speeding camera citations in Cedar Rapids are considered civil code infractions rather than Iowa Traffic Code Violations. This distinction is crucial because civil infractions are typically not reported to insurance companies and are treated differently from actual traffic tickets.
• No Impact on Insurance Premiums: As civil infractions, these camera tickets generally do not result in increased insurance premiums. Sheriff Tony Thompson confirmed that these tickets are not reported to the Department of Transportation (DOT) or reflected on your driving record like traditional traffic tickets. Therefore, your insurance company remains unaware of the infraction, and your rates are not affected.
• Timely Payment: While your insurance rates may not be impacted, it is important to pay the fine within the specified timeframe. Although the exact timeframe may vary, failing to pay the fine within 90 to 120 days can result in further penalties.
• Civil Liens: If you do not pay the fine, the city of Cedar Rapids can pursue several civil remedies to collect the debt. They may place a civil lien against your license plates, making it difficult to renew your vehicle registration until the penalty is addressed.
• Collection Agencies: In some cases, the city may engage collection agencies to pursue unpaid fines. This can result in additional late fees and potential damage to your credit score, although there are conflicting reports on whether the city or collection agencies take such actions.
• No Points Allocation: Speaking from an insurance industry perspective, one individual noted that while camera fines do appear on your driving record, they are coded differently from regular tickets. These fines are not allocated points, and it is the accumulation of points that typically drives up insurance costs.

In summary, while a speeding ticket from a camera in Cedar Rapids may not directly impact your insurance rates, failing to pay the fine can lead to other financial consequences and hassles. It is always advisable to drive within the speed limit and follow local traffic laws to avoid any potential issues.

Contesting a ticket

Contesting a Cedar Rapids Camera Ticket

If you receive a Cedar Rapids Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) citation, you can follow the instructions included with the citation to review the violation, pay the citation, or contest the citation. The City of Cedar Rapids allows you to contest the citation within 30 days from the date printed at the top of the citation.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Fill Out the Contest Citation Form: Visit the Cedar Rapids website to access the Contest Citation Form. Ensure you fill out a separate form for each citation you wish to contest. Provide all the necessary information and supporting documentation.
• Review by a Cedar Rapids Police Officer: A Cedar Rapids police officer will review your contested citation and supporting information. They will make a decision on a case-by-case basis, either upholding or dismissing the citation.
• Notification of the Decision: Within 30 days of receiving your Contest Citation Form, you will be notified of the decision by mail. The letter will be sent to the address of the registered vehicle owner(s).

Important Considerations:

• Multiple Citations: If you have multiple citations to contest, ensure you fill out a separate Contest Citation Form for each one.
• No Negotiation: Cedar Rapids does not allow negotiation on the amount owed for a citation. Your options are to either contest the citation or request a Municipal Infraction.
• Registered Owner Responsibility: The registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the citation and any applicable civil penalties. The citation cannot be transferred to another individual.
• No Impact on Driving Record: Automated Traffic Citations will not be reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation or any other state agency. Therefore, they will not appear on your driving record.
• Civil Lien: While the citation is a civil infraction and will not directly impact your insurance, failing to pay it can result in a civil lien against your license plates during registration renewal.

Collection methods

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has a number of automated traffic cameras in place to enforce speed and red-light violations. These cameras are operated by Sensys Gatso, which issues citations to drivers. The citations are civil infractions, not Iowa Traffic Code Violations, and so insurance companies are not notified. However, failure to pay the fine in a timely manner can result in a civil lien being placed against the driver's license plates, impacting their ability to renew their registration.

The City of Cedar Rapids provides clear instructions on how to pay a fine for an Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) citation. Payments can be made online via the Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com), and further information can be found on the Cedar Rapids website or on the back of the citation. Payments can also be made over the phone by calling the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

If a citation is ignored, the city has several collection methods available to them. They can initiate a municipal infraction process to determine liability and seek voluntary payment. They can also submit the debt to the state's income offset program, which would settle the debt through the violator's income tax refund. Additionally, the city can employ the services of a collection agency to pursue the fine.

It is important to note that while the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that these citations cannot be sent to a collector and affect an individual's credit score, failure to pay can still result in financial repercussions, such as the previously mentioned collection methods.

Camera locations

The City of Cedar Rapids uses Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) systems to enforce red-light running and speed violations at three signalized intersections on the primary highway system. In addition, the City uses ATE systems to enforce speed violations at four locations along United States Interstate 380 (I-380).

There are two additional locations where the ATE system is in place: the intersection of 42nd Street and Edgewood Road NE and the intersection of Center Point Road and Collins Road ramp (north side of Highway 100).

The Police Department also uses a mobile photo radar vehicle that is typically deployed to areas where citizens are concerned about speeding violations in their neighborhood.

The City of Cedar Rapids has published a list of all camera locations on its website.

Frequently asked questions