School Zone Speed Cameras (Verra Mobility)

City of Charlottesville School Zone Safety Program

The City of Charlottesville and the Charlottesville Police Department are working to improve community safety by installing state-of-the-art digital speed safety cameras to decrease traffic violations and collisions and to help increase safety around our schools.

That’s why Charlottesville has partnered with Verra Mobility to use school zone speed safety cameras at six locations near the town’s schools to decrease potential violations. This effort aims to protect our students from reckless drivers so they can safely get to and from school.

Speed safety cameras are proven to be effective in reducing crashes as well as pedestrian-related injuries. Most importantly, communities that use speed safety cameras consistently report safer roads around their schools.

Our school zone speed safety program helps drivers pay more attention and obey traffic control devices. This is just one of the tools Charlottesville is employing to reduce speeding and keep the community safe.

What is the Charlottesville Photo Speed Education and Enforcement Program?

The Charlottesville Police Department is working toward improving the safety of the community by employing state-of-the-art digital cameras and violation detection systems for the purpose of decreasing violations of traffic control regulations and reducing collisions. Speed cameras consistently lessen reckless speeding and reduce pedestrian-related accidents. Municipalities using these systems consistently report safer roads with fewer collisions.

How do the school zone speed safety cameras work?

The photo speed monitoring systems are set up with sophisticated radar equipment that monitors vehicle speeds as traffic approaches and passes the equipment. When a vehicle exceeds the threshold limit, a photograph is taken of the vehicle. A second photograph is taken as the vehicle passes the detection zone to record the vehicle's license plate. The date, time, speed, and location of the infraction are recorded on the digital image. The Charlottesville Police Department reviews each suspected violation before a summons is issued. The summons will contain images of the vehicle and a close-up of the license plate.

Will the cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?

No images of the driver will be captured. It is a civil citation holding the registered owner or lessee responsible for the violation (similar to a parking ticket). There is no need to identify the driver; therefore, there is no need to capture the driver's image.

Does the Charlottesville Police Department retain that data?

The Charlottesville Police Department maintains a strict data retention policy for this program and takes the issue very seriously.

Data for all events issued as warning notices are deleted 60 days after the event occurs.
Non-event data (events that are rejected after thorough review) is deleted two days after the event.
Data for events issued as first notices are deleted 60 days after a document is paid or dismissed.

What is the fine amount for a school zone speeding violation?

The civil monetary penalty amount for a speed violation is $100. There are no late fees applied. If you choose to request a court date, there is a $66 court cost that the Commonwealth of Virginia mandates. Any summons referred to a collection agency may have additional fees applied to the balance.

Will “points” be assessed on my driving record or will my insurance rates be affected?

No, this summons is not considered a "moving violation". It is a civil citation holding the registered owner or lessee responsible for the violation (similar to a parking ticket). No points can be assessed for this violation, which will not raise your insurance rates.

How do I pay the fine?

Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your Notice of Violation.

ONLINE: The fastest and easiest way to pay is online. Go to www.ViolationInfo.com and log in with your Notice # and PIN, which are on the front of your Notice. Click the Pay button. A fee may apply for online payments.

BY PHONE: Call (toll-free) 1-866-790-4111 and select option 1. Phone payments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A fee may apply for phone payments. If you have any questions regarding payments, please contact Customer Service (toll-free) at 1-(866)-790-4111.

What if I lost my Notice of Violation?

Please call 1-866-790-4111 and have your license plate number readily available.

Who receives the Notice of Violation?

Notices are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

How can I contest the Notice of Violation?

REQUEST REVIEW (VIRTUAL MEETING OR PHONE CALL APPOINTMENT) LIABILITY AFFIDAVIT (REVIEW BY MAIL)

The owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for this summons, except where certain evidence is provided. Please review the Liability Affidavit for common defenses allowable. Send the notarized Liability Affidavit (along with all supporting documentation) back before the due date on the front of this Summons. Please mail to Violation Processing Center, PO Box 22091, Tempe, AZ 85285-2091, email to Info@ViolationInfo.com, or fax to 1-480-990-4819. You will be notified of the outcome by mail. Keep in mind that submitting the Affidavit will NOT automatically result in the closure of this matter. If further information is required, you will be notified.

OPERATION AFFIDAVIT (REVIEW BY MAIL)

If the motor vehicle was operated by someone other than the registered owner, at the time this violation was issued, the registered owner may transfer liability of this Notice of Summons to the driver by submitting the Non-Operation Affidavit. Send the notarized Non-Operation Affidavit (along with all supporting documentation) back before the due date on the front of this Summons. Please mail to Violation Processing Center, PO Box 22091, Tempe, AZ 85285-2091, email to Info@ViolationInfo.com, or fax to 1-480-990-4819. You will be notified of the outcome by mail. Keep in mind that submitting the Affidavit will NOT automatically result in the closure of this matter. If further information is required, you will be notified.

RENTAL CAR COMPANIES

If you are a rental car or leasing company, send your letter identifying the driver along with a copy of this summons to the Violation Processing Center at PO Box 22091, Tempe, AZ 85285-2091. Please submit this documentation prior to the due date of this Summons. Both Affidavits can be downloaded from www.ViolationInfo.com under the supporting documents.

REQUEST A COURT DATE

Court costs are $66 in addition to the $100 fine. If you would like to request that your case be heard in the Charlottesville General District Court, sign the coupon below and mail it in the enclosed envelope to the address on the front of this summons. DO NOT SHOW UP AT THE GENERAL DISTRICT COURT WITHOUT CONFIRMING. You will receive a letter in the mail that will include the date, time, and location of your court date. By requesting a court date, you acknowledge that if found guilty, you will be responsible for the $50 civil penalty and the $66 court costs. If you fail to attend your hearing, you will be found guilty and will be responsible for the $50 civil penalty and the $66 court costs. If you choose to pay the civil penalty before your court date, you do not need to attend the hearing; however, you are still responsible for the $66 court costs.

How can I see the video and images captured for my Notice of Violation?

You can view your images on any computer with an Internet connection. Log on to www.ViolationInfo.com. To log on to the site, you must enter the Notice Number and the PIN Number located at the top right of your Notice of Violation. You may view your images at your local public library if you do not have internet access.

Who do I speak to with questions about my citation?

If you have any questions, please contact customer service (toll-free) at 1-(866)-790-4111.