CHAPTER 10.80
AUTOMATED TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMERAS Revised 11/25
Sections:
10.80.010 Definitions. Revised 11/25
10.80.020 Authorization. Revised 11/25
10.80.030 Signage. Revised 11/25
10.80.040 Restrictions. Revised 11/25
10.80.050 Notice of infraction. Revised 11/25
10.80.060 Prima facie presumption. Revised 11/25
10.80.070 Infractions processed. Revised 11/25
10.80.080 Fine. Revised 11/25
10.80.090 Annual report. Revised 11/25
10.80.100 Nonexclusive enforcement. Revised 11/25
10.80.010 Definitions. Revised 11/25
The definitions stated in RCW 46.63.010, as it now appears or is hereafter amended, are incorporated into this chapter by this reference. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.020 Authorization. Revised 11/25
Law enforcement officers of the City of Quincy and persons commissioned by the Quincy Police Department are authorized to use automated traffic cameras and related automated systems to detect one or more of the following:
A. Stoplight violations; and
B. School speed zone violations; and
C. Park zone speed violations. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.030 Signage. Revised 11/25
All locations where an automated traffic safety camera is used on roadways or intersections must be clearly marked by placing signs at least thirty days prior to activation of the camera in locations that clearly indicate to a driver either that: (A) The driver is within an area where automated traffic safety cameras are authorized; or (B) the driver is entering an area where violations are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera. The signs must be readily visible to a driver approaching an automated traffic safety camera. Signs must follow the specifications and guidelines under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways as adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation under Chapter 47.36 RCW, as it now appears or is hereafter amended. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.040 Restrictions. Revised 11/25
The use of automated traffic safety cameras is subject to the following restrictions:
A. On-Ramps. Automated traffic safety cameras may not be used on an on-ramp to a limited access facility as defined in RCW 47.52.010, as it now appears or is hereafter amended.
B. Recording. Automated traffic safety cameras may only record images of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring. The image must not reveal the face of the driver or of passengers in the vehicle.
C. Electronic Images. All photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images, or any other personally identifying data prepared under this chapter, are for the exclusive use of authorized City or County employees, as specified in RCW 46.63.030(1)(d), as it now appears or is hereafter amended, in the discharge of duties under this chapter and are not open to the public and may not be used in a court in a pending action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding relates to a violation under this chapter. No photograph, microphotograph, or electronic image, or any other personally identifying data, may be used for any purpose other than enforcement of violations under this chapter nor retained longer than necessary to enforce this chapter.
D. Manufacturers or Vendors. The compensation paid to the manufacturer or vendor of the equipment used for the automated traffic safety camera program must be based only upon the value of the equipment and services provided or rendered in support of the system and may not be based upon a portion of the fine imposed or the revenue generated by the equipment. If the contract between the City and manufacturer or vendor of the equipment does not provide for performance or quality control measures regarding camera images, the City must perform a performance audit of the manufacturer or vendor of the equipment every three years to review and ensure that images produced from automated traffic safety cameras are sufficient for evidentiary purposes.
E. Revenue. Any revenue generated by the automated traffic safety camera program may only be used as authorized by RCW 46.63.220(13), as it now appears or is hereafter amended.
F. Analysis. The City must prepare an analysis of the locations within the City where automated traffic safety cameras are proposed to be located before adding traffic safety cameras to a new location or relocating any existing camera to a new location within the City. The analysis must comply with requirements of RCW 46.63.020(3), as it now appears or is hereafter amended. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.050 Notice of infraction. Revised 11/25
A. Mailing of Infraction. Whenever any vehicle is photographed by an automated traffic safety camera, a notice of infraction shall be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within fourteen days of the violation, or to the renter of a vehicle within fourteen days of establishing the renter’s name and address. A person receiving a notice of infraction based on evidence detected by an automated traffic safety camera may respond to the notice by mail.
B. Rental Car Business. If the registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car business, the Quincy Police Department shall, before a notice of infraction is issued, provide a written notice to the rental car business that a notice of infraction may be issued to the rental car business if the rental car business does not, within eighteen days of receiving the written notice, provide to the City by return mail:
1. A statement under oath stating the name and known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the vehicle when the infraction occurred; or
2. A statement under oath that the business is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle at the time the infraction occurred because the vehicle was stolen at the time of the infraction. A statement provided under this subsection must be accompanied by a copy of a filed police report regarding the vehicle theft; or
3. In lieu of identifying the vehicle operator, the rental car business may pay the applicable penalty.
C. Certificate. The law enforcement officer issuing a notice of infraction shall include with it a certificate or facsimile thereof, based upon the inspection of photographs, microphotographs or electronic images produced by an automated traffic safety camera, citing the infraction and stating the facts supporting the notice of infraction. This certificate or facsimile shall be prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it and shall be admissible in a proceeding charging a violation under this chapter. The photographs, microphotographs or electronic images evidencing the violation must be available for inspection and admission into evidence in a proceeding to adjudicate the liability for the infraction.
D. Application for Reduced Fine. Registered owners of vehicles who receive notices of infraction must be provided with information on their eligibility and the opportunity to apply for a reduction in the fine amounts through the mail or internet. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.060 Prima facie presumption. Revised 11/25
A. Presumption. In a traffic infraction case involving an infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera under this chapter, proof that the particular vehicle described in the notice of traffic infraction was involved in a school speed zone violation, together with proof that the person named in the notice of infraction was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the person in control of the vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred. In the case of a rental car, the renter identified by the rental car business as stated in Section 10.80.050(B)(1) or (B)(2) shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the renter of the vehicle was the person in control of the vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred.
B. Presumption Overcome. This presumption may be overcome if the registered owner states, under oath, in a written statement to the court or in testimony before the court that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody or control of some person other than the registered owner. In the case where a rental car business is the registered owner, the presumption may be overcome if the rental car business timely mails a statement to the City as stated in Section 10.80.050(B)(1) or (B)(2) and thereafter the rental car business shall be relieved of any liability under this chapter for the infraction. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.070 Infractions processed. Revised 11/25
Infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner’s driving record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120, as they now appear or are hereafter amended. Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automated traffic safety cameras under this chapter must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.080 Fine. Revised 11/25
A. Fine Amount. The fine for an infraction detected under authority of this chapter shall be a base monetary penalty of one hundred forty-five dollars.
B. School Speed Zone – Fine Amount. A fine for a school speed zone infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall be twice the amount stated in subsection (A) of this section.
C. Fine Reduction. Except as provided in this subsection, registered owners of vehicles who receive notices of infraction for automated traffic safety camera-enforced infractions and are recipients of public assistance under Title 74 RCW, as it now appears or is hereafter amended, or participants in the Washington Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and who request reduced fines for infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety camera violations, must be granted reduced fine amounts of fifty percent of what would otherwise be assessed for an automated traffic safety camera violation. Eligibility for Medicaid under RCW 74.09.510 is not a qualifying criterion under this subsection. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.090 Annual report. Revised 11/25
The City shall post an annual report on the City’s website of the number of traffic crashes that occurred at each location where an automated traffic safety camera is located, as well as the number of notices of infraction issued for each camera. Beginning January 1, 2026, the annual report must include the percentage of revenues received from fines issued from automated traffic safety camera infractions that were used to pay for the costs of the automated traffic safety camera program and must describe the uses of revenues that exceeded the costs of operation and administration of the automated traffic safety camera program by the City. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))
10.80.100 Nonexclusive enforcement. Revised 11/25
Nothing in this chapter prohibits a law enforcement officer from issuing a notice of traffic infraction to a person in control of a vehicle at the time a violation occurs under RCW 46.63.030(1)(a), (1)(b) or (1)(c), as it now appears or is hereafter amended. (Ord 25-639 §2 (Ex A))