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1. What is the City of Fife safety camera program?

In 2007 the City recognized the value of implementing an automated traffic enforcement program in furtherance of City goals and created a safer environment for its citizens by enacting Ordinance Number 1629-07.

Fife Municipal Code 10.60.020 Authorized use of automated traffic safety cameras in the following manner:

• Law enforcement officers of the City and persons commissioned by the police chief are authorized to use automated traffic cameras and related automated systems to detect stoplight infractions at two-arterial intersections.
• The use of automated traffic cameras is subject to the following restrictions:
  • Use of traffic safety cameras is restricted to stoplight infractions occurring at two-arterial intersections (the intersections of two arterial streets).
  • Automated traffic cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and the vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring. Pictures taken by automated traffic safety cameras may not reveal the face of the driver or of the passengers in the vehicle.
  • Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images prepared under this chapter are for the exclusive use of law enforcement 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 an infraction under this chapter. No photograph, microphotograph, or electronic image may be used for any purpose other than enforcement of infractions under this chapter nor retained longer than necessary to enforce this chapter.
  • The City shall clearly mark all locations where automated traffic safety cameras are in use by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera.
  • For the purposes of this chapter, automated traffic safety camera means a device that uses a vehicle sensor installed to work in conjunction with an intersection traffic control system and a camera synchronized to automatically record one or more sequenced photographs, microphotographs or electronic images of the rear of a motor vehicle at the time the vehicle fails to stop when facing a steady red traffic control signal.

2. What are red light cameras and how do they work?

Red light cameras help communities enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles whose drivers run red lights. The cameras are activated by sensors which are located at the intersection. The cameras are only activated when a vehicle is detected by the sensors after the light has turned red. The camera takes two digital photos which document the infraction.

The program operates 24 hours a day seven days a week and operates in all weather conditions. The system is only activated when a vehicle runs a red light and all intersections with red light cameras are clearly marked. The Fife Police Department reviews every infraction before the infraction is issued. Infractions contain images of the infraction vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the intersection, and the license plate.

3. Is red light running really a problem?

Red light running is one of the major causes of collisions, deaths and injuries at signalized intersections in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 20% of drivers do not obey intersection signals. Crashes caused by red light running result in more than 800 fatalities and 165,000 injuries each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The economic impact of red light running on society is estimated to be $14 billion annually. Other motorists and pedestrians account for nearly half the deaths caused by red light running crashes.

4. If I am already in the intersection when a light turns red, will I get a infraction?

No, infractions are only issued when a vehicle enters the intersection after the light has turned red. If you enter the intersection on a green or yellow light, you will not be photographed by the camera system.

5. Does the City of Fife use standard yellow signal phase times?

Yes. The City of Fife sets its signal timing in accordance with International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) and Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) guidelines. Fife’s signal control hardware is individually tested and approved by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) laboratories.

6. Did the system “speed up” the signal cycle once it sensed I was there?

No. The red light camera system has no effect on the speed of the signal cycle.

7. At a red light, do I have to stop twice: once before the stop line and once after?

You only need to stop once, before the stop bar and wait until the traffic light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you move ahead. If you are turning right, you may turn after coming to a complete stop if it is safe and if there is no sign prohibiting the turn on a red light.

8. How long do I have to stay stopped at a red light before turning right?

After coming to a complete stop you can proceed right if it is safe to do so and there is no sign prohibiting the turn on a red light.

9. What does the city do with the money received from red light infractions?

The City of Fife has established a public safety fund to segregate monies derived from the photo red light enforcement program. Expenditures from the public safety fund may only be used for the purpose of paying for costs of the red light enforcement program, including the City’s administrative costs; provided, however, if there are surplus monies in the fund then the surplus monies may only be expended for the following purposes:

1. Purchase and installation of school zone signs and lights
2. Pedestrian overpass/underpass design and construction costs
3. Sidewalk design and construction costs
4. Streetlight acquisition: operation and maintenance
5. Signalized pedestrian crosswalks
6. The design and construction of similar pedestrian safety oriented improvements

10. Will intersections that have red light cameras be publicized?

Yes, please see below:

• Alexander Avenue SB and Pacific Highway
• Alexander Avenue EB and Pacific Highway
• 54th Avenue and 20th Street - SB
• Valley Avenue and 70th Avenue WB
• Valley Avenue and 70th Avenue EB
• 54th Avenue NB and Pacific Highway WB

11. Where can I go to learn more about the rules of the road?

The Washington State Department of Licensing publishes the Washington Driver Guide.

Page 24 contains the information on red traffic lights. It reads:

A steady red traffic light means stop. You must wait until the traffic light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you move ahead. If you are turning right, you may turn after coming to a full stop if it is safe and if there is no sign prohibiting the turn on a red light.

12. Where can I get additional information about red light enforcement?

You can read about automated traffic enforcement in Title 10 - Vehicles and Traffic in the Fife Municipal Code.

13. Where can I get additional information about red light enforcement online?

Read the How Red-light Cameras Work and Running the Red Light articles.

14. Where can I get information about how a signal works online?

Read How does a traffic light detect that a car has pulled up and is waiting for the light to change?.