ATESD Frequently Asked Questions
A device designed to detect and collect evidence of alleged violations by recording images that capture license plate, date, time, and location.
CTDOT and the Office of the State Traffic Administration (OSTA) considers four types of locations in its review:
- Traffic Control Signals for running a red-light indication.
- School Zones for exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph.
- Pedestrian Safety Zones for exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph.
- Other Locations for exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph.
To reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by using photos from cameras to monitor and enforce red light running and speed limits.
Contact your municipality’s Local Traffic Authority about the location of concern.
The municipality must conduct a public hearing regarding their plan for the use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices prior to submitting the plan to the Office of the State Traffic Administration for approval.
Yes, provided that the municipal plan proposing the use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices on a state road is approved by the CTDOT. An encroachment permit from the CTDOT's District Office will also be required for any equipment and signing within the state highway right-of-way.
The locations for an Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device (ATESD) must be identified in the municipal plan. The municipality must install at least two conspicuous signs on every approach in advance of an active ATESD. Also, municipalities must provide notification of the ATESD to persons, firms, and corporations that operate mobile applications that is used for navigational purposes or to provide real-time information on motor vehicle traffic.
A member of the municipality’s police department or Local Traffic Authority designee will review and approve the recorded images before a citation is mailed to the owner of the motor vehicle.
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Fines are violations of the municipality’s ordinance.
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For the first 30 days the automated traffic enforcement safety device is operational, a written warning will be issued.
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After 30 days, the fine cannot exceed $50 for 1st offense or exceed $75 for the 2nd and subsequent offenses.
CTDOT will review the initial municipal plan and subsequent plan(s) proposing the use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESDs). The CTDOT will determine is the plan is likely to improve traffic safety at the locations of ATESDs and determine if the ATESD distribution throughout the municipality is equitable. The CTDOT has 60 days to either approve or reject the plan in whole or in part.
A citation will be mailed by the municipality to the registered owner of a vehicle photographed by a red-light camera or a speed safety camera not later than 30 days after the owner’s address has been confirmed by the CT Department of Motor Vehicles or another jurisdiction. A citation shall be invalid unless mailed to an owner not later than 60 days after the alleged violation.
Funds received by a municipality from fines shall be used for the purposes of improving transportation mobility, investing in transportation infrastructure improvements, or paying for the costs associated with the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices.
No. The citation will also not be reported on driving records.
Yes. The registered owner of a vehicle captured or running a red light or speeding is liable for citations related to their vehicle.
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This information should be included in the citation issued to the owner of the motor vehicle.
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The violation took place during a period in which the motor vehicle had been reported stolen to a law enforcement unit and had not been recovered prior to the time of the violation.
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The automated traffic enforcement safety device was not in compliance with the required calibration check
The devices are required to be recalibrated annually by the municipality and a signed certificate of calibration shall be kept on file by the municipality.
Pursuant to Public Act 23-116, municipalities that adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of ATESDs, must also adopt a written privacy policy that meets or exceeds the standards of CTDOT’s model privacy policy and protocol. Please refer to the guidance document for more information.
No. Before an Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device (ATESD) can be installed, the municipality must prepare an ATESD Plan which must be reviewed and approved by OSTA and the municipality has met all the other requirements in the statutes.
No. The vendor’s fees shall not be based on number of citations or fines paid.
No. Appropriately timed yellow and red change intervals have been proven to reduce red-light running and improve the overall intersection safety.Since red-light running is a leading cause of severe crashes at signalized intersections, it is imperative that the yellow and red intervals be appropriately timed.
The review and approval process is a 2 Step process. The statutory 60-day review period does not start until the OSTA confirms, in writing, that the ATESD plan contains all the required elements. The 60-day period may pause if the OSTA provides review comments on the municipality’s ATESD Plan during Step 2. The review period will resume when the ATESD Plan has been resubmitted to the OSTA.