Speed Safety Cameras
The City of Memphis Speed Safety Program is in place to encourage motorists to slow down in school zones and “S” curves where traffic data and citizen complaints show that speeding is a problem. This program supports increased public safety and enhances protection for our children. This program is pursuant to City of Memphis Ordinance 5747 Section 21-81.
The City of Memphis uses an automated traffic enforcement program to supplement traffic enforcement by Memphis police officers. The automated enforcement safety program deploys digital cameras to capture alleged violations. The cameras may be installed at intersections or mid-block locations within school zones. The cameras may also be installed within “S” curves where excessive speeding can result in a vehicle leaving the roadway. In school zones, enforcement cameras will be active for the 30 minutes prior to school opening and will remain active for 15 minutes after the school has opened. The cameras will once again activate 15 minutes prior to school closing and remain active for 30 minutes after the school has closed. Enforcement cameras will be active at all times within “S” curves.
The cameras will be located on poles near or adjacent to the enforcement areas. There will also be advance warning signs in place prior to the enforcement zones.
FAQ
Warnings and Citations?
Citation fees are $50 for each individual violation and failure to respond to the original notice will result in a $45 late fee applied to your original amount due. For more information go to www.violationinfo.com
How Do I Pay My Citation?
• For more information go to www.violationinfo.com
• Mail your check or money order, payable to the City of Memphis, making sure the payment side shows through the envelope window. Do not mail cash. Write your Violation Notice Number on the check. Checks should be mailed to:
City of Memphis, City Court Clerk, 201 Poplar LL-80, Memphis, TN 31803
• Or you may pay in person at 201 Poplar LL-80, Memphis, TN between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Can a Speed Safety Citation Cause Higher Insurance or Points on My License?
No, unlike a speeding citation issued by a police officer, speed safety camera citations are not used by insurance companies for eligibility reviews, nor do they incur points on your state-issued driver’s license.
What if a Speed Safety Camera Issues a Citation Erroneously?
Cameras are only triggered when the speed limit is exceeded. Equipment is evaluated regularly to ensure radars are collecting precise and accurate measurements. The camera technology is capable of distinguishing between speeding vehicles and other, nearby vehicles, and gives drivers the benefit of the doubt, declining to issue a ticket if it is unclear which vehicle is exceeding the speed limit. Technicians who review speed camera violations do the same, rejecting all tickets where it is not readily evident which vehicle exceeded the speed limit.
What if Someone Else Is Driving My Car?
Tennessee Code Title 55 requires vehicle owners to be responsible for speed safety camera tickets. If your vehicle was stolen, you may provide a police report to contest the fine.
Tennessee Code 55: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2014/title-55/chapter-8/part-1/section-55-8-198/
How will Collected Fines Be Used?
All revenues generated from penalties and assessments associated with the enforcement of this ordinance shall first be applied to all equipment, administrative and associated processing costs. All excess revenues shall then be limited to the payment of costs associated with traffic and safety education programs and shall not be available for general government operating expenditures.
How were these 15 locations selected?
Initial locations were selected based on a scoring matrix that evaluated accident history and accident severity at approximately 350 locations. Accident history and severity information were entered into a ranking index to identify the locations with the worst accident problems. From this, the top 30 locations were selected to move to the next phase which was the evaluation of operating speeds. Speed studies were conducted at these 30 locations and the 15 locations with the highest percentage of drivers operating above the posted speed limit were selected for initial deployment.