Photo Radar Tickets in Arizona – A Comprehensive Guide
The Phoenix-metro area in Arizona is home to a large number of red-light photo enforcement cameras. These cameras are set to snap a photo of a vehicle under specific conditions, such as running a red light or driving over the speed limit. Unlike getting pulled over in person by police, those who are “flashed” by a photo radar camera often remain unaware that they have been cited with anything until they receive a notice in the mail.
What to Do If You Receive a Photo Radar Ticket in the Mail
A mailed citation from a photo radar camera is not an official ticket and does not need to be responded to unless it has been formally served to you.
According to A.R.S. 28-1592, the city is allowed up to 60 days to file your citation with the court prior to mailing the citation to you. A filed traffic citation must be formally served within 90 days of being filed in order to be granted jurisdiction. This 90-day period begins only after the citation is filed with the court.
Tickets can be served to you in the following ways:
- Process server – When somebody comes to your home to physically hands you, or another person of age, the ticket.
- Alternative service – When courts allows cities to serve a ticket by certified mail.
If you have received a citation in the mail and are trying to avoid answering your door to a process server, note the “Date Issued” on the citation and add 90 days to this date. Timeanddate.com provides a handy calculator that can be used to calculate this date. If you have not been served with your ticket by this service date, the ticket is no longer valid and will be dismissed.
Waiving Your Right to be Served
Responding to a mailed photo radar citation in certain ways will prove to the court that you received the citation, this waiving your right to be served. This can occur when:
- You fill out and return any paperwork sent with the citation.
- You provide a statement denying that you were the driver of the vehicle.
- You see or communicate with the court judge.
- You formally request a time extension.
Am I Likely to Be Served?
Each city that utilizes photo radar cameras have their own guidelines when it comes to serving these citations. Scottsdale and Mesa are known to be particularly aggressive with serving traffic citations, but you also have a chance to be served in Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley.
What Happens if I Am Formally Served?
Once a traffic ticket has been formally served to you, court proceedings will move forward. These will typically be heard in civil traffic hearings in which the judge will issue a ruling after hearing the evidence for and against you.
If you are charged, you may incur points against your license through the Motor Vehicle Division. Typically, photo radar charges involve speeding (3 points) and running a red light (2 points). You will likely be required to pay for and complete Traffic Survival School as well as pay a fine. You may also see your auto insurance rates increase. Additionally, if you accumulate 8 points within a year, you may have your license suspended.
You don’t typically need to hire an attorney for civil traffic infractions if you are able to take Defensive Driving School and/or pay a fine, as these costs are almost always less than the cost of hiring a private attorney.
Where Are the Photo Radar Cameras?
Photo radar cameras are run by third-parties in conjunction with Arizona cities. Their quantity varies within each jurisdiction. Photo radar cameras may also be installed in school zones. Drivers should always ensure they are following the posted lowered speed limit when driving through school zones.
Photo radar cameras can be found in the following intersections in the metro-Phoenix area:
Scottsdale
Scottsdale Road / McDowell Road
Scottsdale Road / Thomas Road
Indian School Road / Hayden Road
Shea Boulevard / 90th Street
Shea Boulevard / 92nd Street
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard / Cactus Road
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard / Greenway-Hayden Loop
Scottsdale Road / Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard / Greenway-Hayden Loop
Scottsdale Road / Pinnacle Peak Road
Thomas Road / Hayden Road
Mesa
Alma School / Guadalupe
Country Club / Southern
Gilbert / Baseline
Power / Broadway
Power / McKellips
Guadalupe / Carriage
Broadway / Stapley
Country Club / University
Gilbert / McKellips
Power / Hampton
Power / Southern
Broadway / Extension
Ellsworth / Pecos
Lindsay / University
University / Mesa Drive
Power / Main
Chandler
Alma School Road / Queen Creek Road
Alma School Road / Ray Road
Alma School Road / Warner Road
Arizona Avenue / Ray Road
Arizona Avenue / Warner Road
Arizona Avenue / Ocotillo Road
Chandler Boulevard / Dobson Road
Chandler Boulevard / Kyrene Road
McQueen Road / Queen Creek Road
Ray Road / Dobson Road
Ray Road / McClintock Road
Ray Road / Rural Road
Paradise Valley
East Lincoln Drive / Palo Cristi Road
East Lincoln Drive / Tatum Boulevard
East Lincoln Drive / Mockingbird Lane
North Tatum Boulevard / Desert Jewel Drive
South Tatum Boulevard / East McDonald Drive
Phoenix
35th Avenue / Cactus Road
35th Avenue / Glendale Avenue
16th Street / Jefferson Street
Tatum Boulevard / Thunderbird Road
67th Avenue / McDowell Road
Central Avenue / McDowell Road
53rd Avenue / Indian School Road
50th Street / Ray Road
7th Street / Bell Road
12th Street / Camelback Road
35th Avenue / McDowell Road
24th Street / Thomas Road
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