Waterloo's Camera Tickets: Origins And Insights

In Waterloo, Iowa, traffic cameras are used to monitor and enforce traffic laws, including speeding and red-light violations. The use of these cameras has sparked debates among residents, with some considering them a necessary tool for traffic control, while others view them as an invasion of privacy. The tickets issued by these cameras are civil infractions, and while they don't affect driving records or insurance rates, failing to pay them can result in civil penalties and collection actions by the city. This paragraph introduces the topic of camera tickets in Waterloo, Iowa, and provides context on the purpose, perception, and consequences of these automated enforcement measures.

The cameras are installed by Sensys Gatso USA, which receives $36 for each citation

The cameras in Waterloo, Iowa, that issue tickets for traffic violations are part of an Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program. The ATE program was established in 2017 through a partnership between the Waterloo Police Department and Sensys Gatso USA, a company that supplies enforcement equipment. As part of the arrangement, Sensys Gatso USA installs and maintains the cameras at no cost to the city but receives $36 for each citation paid.

The ATE program initially involved a handheld unit called the Dragon Cam and a mobile speed enforcement vehicle. Over time, the program expanded to include stationary red-light and speed cameras at intersections based on motor vehicle accident data. As of July 2021, the total number of cameras in the ATE program reached 23, including both stationary and mobile units.

The use of these automated traffic enforcement cameras in Waterloo is authorized by the City Council. In August 2017, the City Council voted to allow the use of cameras to fine owners of vehicles that violate traffic signals or speed limits. The fines collected from these citations are shared between Sensys Gatso USA and the city, with the latter allocating the funds for property tax relief.

The process of issuing citations involves capturing high-resolution images and videos of vehicles committing violations. A police officer then reviews the footage before mailing a citation to the registered owner of the vehicle. It is important to note that these citations are municipal infractions and are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation, so they do not affect driving records.

Citations are sent to the registered owner of the car, not the driver

In Waterloo, Iowa, citations are sent to the registered owner of the car, not the driver. This is the case even if the owner of the vehicle was not the person driving at the time of the violation.

In 2017, the Waterloo Police Department partnered with GATSO USA to implement an Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program. This included the use of handheld units and mobile speed enforcement vehicles, as well as stationary red light and speed cameras at intersections. The number of cameras has increased over time, with 23 in total as of July 2021. These cameras are installed at locations selected based on motor vehicle accident data.

The citations issued by these cameras are municipal infractions, which means they are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and do not affect driving records. However, they are still enforceable, and failure to pay can result in civil penalties. According to Waterloo City Ordinance 6-1-4, the owner of the vehicle, as determined by Iowa DOT registration records, is liable for the civil fine, not the driver. This means that even if someone else was driving the car when the violation occurred, the registered owner will receive the citation and be responsible for paying the fine.

It is important to note that while these citations do not impact insurance rates directly, unpaid fines can result in civil liens against license plates, affecting the ability to renew registration.

Citations are municipal infractions and are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation

In Waterloo, Iowa, citations issued by the automated traffic enforcement cameras are municipal infractions and are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation. This means that these citations will not affect the driving records of those who receive them. However, it is important to note that while these citations are not considered Iowa Traffic Code Violations, they are still civil code (municipal/city ordinance) infractions.

The automated traffic enforcement cameras in Waterloo, Iowa, are operated by the Waterloo Police Department in partnership with GATSO USA. These cameras are installed at various intersections throughout the city to monitor and enforce traffic laws, including red-light running and speeding violations. The cameras take high-resolution still photos and videos, which are then reviewed by a police officer before a citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

The citations issued by these cameras carry fines that must be paid. While not paying the fine in a timely manner (usually within 90-120 days) will not result in a violation on your DOT record or driver's license, it can still have consequences. The city has the authority to collect unpaid fines through various means, including placing a civil lien against your license plates, impacting your credit rating, or using the Iowa Offset Program to deduct the fines from sources such as tax returns or lottery winnings.

It is worth noting that the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras in Waterloo, Iowa, has been a subject of debate. While some support their use for traffic safety, others have criticised their implementation. The city has also faced questions regarding the impact of these citations on insurance rates, to which the answer is that insurance companies are not notified, and thus, insurance rates should not be affected.

In summary, the citations issued by the automated traffic enforcement cameras in Waterloo, Iowa, are municipal infractions that are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation. While they do not carry the same weight as a traditional traffic ticket, failure to pay these citations can result in financial consequences and collection actions taken by the city.

Citations can be contested by requesting an administrative hearing

In Waterloo, Iowa, citations from automated traffic enforcement cameras can be contested by requesting an administrative hearing. This process is outlined on the citation, and the forms can be obtained through GATSO USA, the company that provides and maintains the cameras. Alternatively, the forms can be downloaded online. Once the necessary documents are submitted, a sworn police officer will review the appeal, and a notice of the hearing outcome will be mailed to the individual.

It is important to note that the administrative hearing is a mail-in process only, as amended by the Waterloo City Council in 2021. This means that individuals will not appear in person for the hearing. If individuals wish to have their case heard before a district judge, they can request a Municipal Infraction instead of an ATE citation. However, this may result in additional court fees for the vehicle owner.

The option to contest a citation is crucial for those who believe they have been wrongly accused or feel that extenuating circumstances should be considered. By providing clear instructions and accessible forms, the city of Waterloo and GATSO USA aim to ensure a fair process for all.

When contesting a citation, it is advisable to carefully review the evidence provided, such as the still images and videos captured by the automated traffic enforcement cameras. Individuals may also want to refer to the specific locations of the cameras, which are publicly available, to understand the context of the alleged violation.

In conclusion, the ability to request an administrative hearing offers a pathway for individuals to challenge automated traffic enforcement citations in Waterloo, Iowa. By following the outlined steps and providing relevant information, citizens can exercise their right to due process and have their appeals reviewed by a sworn police officer.

Unpaid fines are sent to collections and can impact credit ratings

In Waterloo, Iowa, the police department has implemented an Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program to monitor and enforce traffic laws. This includes the use of handheld units, mobile speed enforcement vehicles, and stationary red light/speed cameras at various intersections. The ATE program issues citations and fines to vehicles that violate traffic laws, such as speeding or running red lights. These citations are considered municipal infractions and are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation, meaning they do not affect driving records. However, unpaid fines can have consequences.

Unpaid fines for ATE citations in Waterloo, Iowa, are sent to collections, which can impact an individual's credit rating. According to the Waterloo Police Department, GATSO USA handles the collection process for unpaid fines. While ATE citations are not reported to the State of Iowa DOT or insurance companies, allowing unpaid fines to go into collections can still have financial repercussions. The collection account will remain on an individual's credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date, impacting their credit score.

The impact of collections on a credit score can vary based on the scoring model used and the amount of the unpaid collection. Newer scoring models, such as FICO® 9 and VantageScore 3.0, tend to ignore collection accounts with a zero balance, so paying off the fines may improve these scores. However, older credit scoring models used by mortgage and other lenders do not ignore paid collection accounts, and paying off the collections may not immediately remove them from the credit report.

It is important to note that while ATE citations themselves do not directly affect driving records or insurance rates, ignoring unpaid fines can lead to further financial consequences. Individuals are advised to address unpaid fines promptly to avoid potential damage to their credit rating and financial standing.

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