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Municipal Court

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1. What is a red light violation?

A red light violation occurs when a vehicle is present in an intersection while the traffic control signal for the intersection is emitting a steady red signal.

The City of Creve Coeur has adopted regulations for the automated enforcement of Creve Coeur City Traffic Ordinance 16-398, Violation of Public Safety at Intersection. A vehicle may not be present in an intersection when the traffic control light is in the red phase. In the absence of a right turn on red restriction, a vehicle can make a right turn on the red, only after making a complete stop, and assuring that it is safe to proceed.

2. How does the red light violation system work?

Each intersection is outfitted with a high resolution, high speed digital camera. The cameras are activated by sensors that are located at the intersection and are only activated when a vehicle is detected by the sensors after the light has turned red.

The cameras take two digital photos that document the violation and are mailed with a violation notice to the registered owner of the vehicle. The program operates 24 hours a day seven days a week in all weather conditions.

The camera is only activated when a vehicle violates a red light and all intersections with red light cameras are clearly marked with photo enforcement signs. A Creve Coeur Police Officer reviews every violation before the notice is issued. Violation notices contain images of the violation vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the intersection and the license plate of the vehicle.

3. Aren't most citizens opposed to automated enforcement?

No. In late 2005 a survey commissioned by the Missouri Insurance Coalition of more than 600 voters showed 8 of 10 Missourians favor using red-light cameras at intersections and more than 90% of those polled in Metro St. Louis and Kansas City were in favor. Statewide support for red light cameras increases to almost 90% if funding for the cameras comes from violator fines and not from taxpayers.

A 2001 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety collected data from 10 cities (5 with automated systems, 5 without automated systems) and determined there to be overwhelming support for automated enforcement. The average approval rate for the 10 cities was 77.8% in favor of such systems, with only a 12% variance between the highest and lowest approval. Other polls have shown similar results. Citizens overwhelmingly support automated enforcement to make our roadways safer.

4. Doesn't the city have to prove that I was the driver of a red light violation?

No. The courts have upheld that the owner of a vehicle can be held responsible for violations.

5. Are Red Light Cameras effective?

Yes. Red light cameras have been proven to be effective in reducing red light violations and right-angle crashes. Cities using these systems consistently report safer roads with fewer intersection collisions. Some cities have reported a 40-50% decline in red light violations and a 25-30% decrease in injury accidents.

6. Who receives the red light camera citation?

Citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. Liability is based on ownership, without regard to whether the owner was operating the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. This is similar to how parking violations are handled.

7. What if I receive a red light camera citation, but had a valid reason to be in the intersection at that time?

If at the time and place of the violation, the motor vehicle was in the intersection due to a recognized exception, the Owner may submit information to that effect by affidavit, on a form provided by the Court under oath at the Municipal Court proceeding. If an Owner furnishes satisfactory evidence pursuant to this paragraph, the City Prosecutor may terminate the prosecution of this Notice of Violation. The recognized exceptions are:

• The Traffic Control Signal was not in proper position and sufficiently legible to an ordinarily observant person


• The operator of the motor vehicle was acting in compliance with the lawful order or direction of a police officer


• The operator of the motor vehicle violated the instruction of the Traffic Control Signal in order to yield the right-of-way to an immediately approaching authorized emergency vehicle


• The motor vehicle was being operated as part of a funeral procession pursuant to Section 194.503 RSMo.


• The motor vehicle was being operated as an authorized emergency vehicle as defined and in compliance with Section 304.022 RSMo.


• The motor vehicle was a stolen vehicle and being operated by a person other than the Owner without the effective consent of the Owner (but this shall not be a justification for such an operator) and the theft was timely reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency


• The license plate and/or tags depicted in the Recorded Image(s) were stolen and being displayed on a motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which they were issued (but this shall not be a justification for the operator of the motor vehicle) and the theft was timely reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency


• Ownership of the motor vehicle had in fact been transferred prior to the violation (provided state records substantiate this statement);


• The motor vehicle was present in the intersection because it was inoperable

8. What is the amount of a red light camera violation fine?

The fine for a Red Light camera violation in Creve Coeur is $100.

9. Will points be assessed to my driving record if I receive a red light camera violation fine?

No points will be assessed.

10. If I see a white light flash while I am in a red light camera intersection, am I getting a ticket?

Not necessarily. The white flash is similar to the flash on a camera. The flash can be triggered by the computer sensing that a vehicle might be a violation. It does this because a photo must be taken before a vehicle enters the intersection. Two reviewers must review the video to see if a vehicle actually was in violation.

A violation notice is mailed only after both reviewers agree. The flash can be triggered by many things, including automatic system checks. The flash often happens when vehicles make a right turn on red. After making a complete stop, as the vehicle begins to turn, the system takes the photos in case the vehicle just goes straight through the red light. The human reviewers see this and reject the violation.

11. Where can I read the complete red light camera ordinance?

All Creve Coeur Ordinances can be found online. The Violation of Public Safety at Intersection ordinance can be found under Chapter 16, Article VI, Sec. 16-398.

12. How do I pay my fine?

Online Payment: The fastest and easiest way to pay your Notice is online. Go to the Violation Info website and log on with your Notice number and Pin number shown in the red box on the front of the notice. Choose the Pay Button.

Payment by Mail: Mail your check or money order (payable to the City of Creve Coeur) in the enclosed envelope with the coupon at the bottom of the notice, to the address on the reverse side of the notice. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to put the Notice number (see reverse) on the face of your payment. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (866) 790-4111.

Payment in Person: You may pay your fine in person at the Courthouse on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, and on Wednesday between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm. The courthouse is located at:
300 N. New Ballas Rd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

13. What intersections have red light cameras?

Eastbound Ladue Road at Coeur de Ville.

Eastbound and westbound Ladue Road at Emerson.

Olive at I-270 (Since 12-3-07).