Cedar Rapids Traffic Camera Tickets: Where And How To Pay

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has a number of automated traffic cameras in place to enforce speed and red-light violations. These cameras are placed at nine locations in the city, plus there is one mobile radar. If you receive a speeding ticket from one of these cameras, you may be wondering how to pay it. The City of Cedar Rapids partners with Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com) to handle online citation payments. You can access the link on the Cedar Rapids website and utilize the provided citation number and PIN found on the front of the citation to pay your ticket.

How to pay a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket

If you have received a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket, you can pay it by following the instructions included with the citation. You can also find more information on the Cedar Rapids website.

To pay your citation, you will need the citation number and PIN found on the front of the citation. The City of Cedar Rapids has partnered with the Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com) to handle online citation payments. You can also refer to the instructions on the back of the citation for more information.

If you have any further questions, you can email the Cedar Rapids Police Department at atecedarrapids@cedar-rapids.org. Email is the most efficient form of communication for Automated Traffic Enforcement issues. You may also call 319-286-5513.

Please note that there have been discussions and challenges regarding the legality and enforcement of these automated traffic camera tickets in Cedar Rapids. Some people have chosen to ignore the tickets, and there are varying reports of consequences, including possible impacts on tax returns, vehicle registration, and credit reports. It is essential to consider the potential risks and make an informed decision.

Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket fines

Cedar Rapids traffic fines are issued by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The city uses an Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) system to monitor and enforce red-light running and speed limit violations. The ATE system is in place at several locations, including intersections and Interstate 380.

The fines for speeding citations through the ATE system 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

The fines are typically $75, and the company operating the cameras, Sensys Gatso, keeps $30 while the city gets the remaining amount. The citation can be paid online by accessing the link provided on the City of Cedar Rapids website and using the citation number and PIN on the citation.

In the past, there have been legal challenges to the automated traffic camera system in Cedar Rapids, with a class-action lawsuit resulting in the city refunding and waiving millions of dollars worth of tickets. However, as of June 29, 2024, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has resumed issuing speeding citations through the ATE system.

Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket refunds

Cedar Rapids traffic camera tickets have been a contentious issue for several years, with a class-action lawsuit resulting in the city refunding and waiving millions of dollars' worth of tickets. The lawsuit challenged the city's collection efforts and the retroactive imposition of late fees, with the city ultimately agreeing to a settlement to avoid further legal costs.

If you have received a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket, you may be wondering if you need to pay it. The notice you receive will outline the consequences of non-payment, which can include the city filing a municipal infraction against you, resulting in additional fees and court costs. Failure to pay may also result in the city pursuing other avenues of collection, such as holding your tax return or putting a hold on your vehicle registration renewal or driver's license renewal.

It is important to note that the tickets are not added to your driving record or reported to your insurance company. Paying the ticket may be the easiest way to resolve the issue, but some people choose to ignore the tickets, and there are varying reports of the consequences. Some individuals report no impact on their credit score, while others have had their state tax refunds withheld or have been contacted by collection agencies.

If you wish to contest a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket, you can follow the instructions included with the citation. The City of Cedar Rapids provides information on its website about the Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) system, including how to review or contest a citation and how to pay if you choose to do so. The city partners with Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com) to handle online citation payments.

Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket collections agency

Cedar Rapids has a number of traffic cameras in place to enforce speed and red-light violations. The city's police department issues citations, or tickets, to drivers who are caught speeding or running red lights by these cameras.

If you receive a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket, you can pay it online through the Citation Processing Center (ViewCitation.com). You will need the citation number and PIN provided on the front of the citation to do this. Alternatively, you can contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department via email at atecedarrapids@cedar-rapids.org or by phone at 319-286-5513.

It is important to note that there is a time limit to respond to a Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket. The ticket will state that you have 30 days to take action, after which the city may file a municipal infraction against you, resulting in additional fees and court costs. If you do not respond to the municipal infraction, the city may pursue enforcement of the judgment, including referring the matter to a collections agency or utilizing the State of Iowa Income Offset program. This program can withhold state income tax returns to settle the debt.

In the past, Cedar Rapids has faced legal challenges and criticism regarding its use of traffic cameras, particularly concerning the collection of unpaid tickets. In 2019, a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit included refunds for those who had their state income taxes withheld to pay old automated traffic camera tickets and the waiving of tens of thousands of unpaid tickets issued before August 31, 2018.

Cedar Rapids traffic camera ticket legal challenges

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been using automated traffic enforcement (ATE) systems since 2010 to enforce red-light running and speed limit violations. The use of ATE systems has resulted in a reduction in crashes and crashes with injuries, advancing public interests in traffic safety and the safety of emergency responders.

However, there have been legal challenges to the ATE systems in Cedar Rapids. From mid-2017 to early 2019, the city halted the issuance of automated speeding and red-light tickets due to litigation over the legality of the cameras. The litigation questioned whether the cameras were primarily used as a revenue-generating tool rather than a safety measure.

In December 2017, the city of Cedar Rapids attempted to collect on approximately 221,000 unpaid tickets worth $17.3 million, dating back to 2010. This collection effort sparked a class-action lawsuit, alleging that the notices exceeded the statute of limitations and challenging the imposition of retroactive late fees. The city proposed a settlement, agreeing to refund $3 million and waive $14 million in old tickets. The settlement did not admit any wrongdoing by the city and had no impact on the current use of traffic cameras.

In June 2024, new regulations for the ATE systems in Cedar Rapids were enacted, aligning with state law in Iowa. These regulations specify the fines for speeding violations, starting at $75 for speeds 11-20 mph over the limit and increasing to $500 for speeds 31+ mph over the limit.

While the ATE systems have faced legal challenges, the city of Cedar Rapids maintains that the cameras are a proven method of enhancing road safety. The use of ATE systems continues to be a controversial topic, with ongoing debates about the balance between public safety and individual rights.

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