Vail’s automated speed cameras will begin issuing fines starting Nov. 16
Ali Longwell/Vail Daily
The town of Vail will soon start issuing speeding tickets to people going 36 mph or more in two of the town’s 25 mph zones, Vail Police Chief Ryan Kenney has confirmed.
The automated vehicle identification systems have been installed in front of the Vail Transportation Center from 1000 South Frontage Road to 700 South Frontage Road, and in front of the West Vail Mall area (near Safeway) from 2293 North Frontage Road to 1300 North Frontage Road.
Kenney said the cameras that will be used in those zones have been installed and are currently collecting data, and his department is in the process of confirming that the data is accurate.
“The Vail Police Department will not be collecting any data from these cameras unrelated to traffic and criminal enforcement,” Kenney said. “The goal of this program is to improve traffic safety in the areas the cameras are installed.”
Kenney said the data will only be used for issuing citations.
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“The information we get from the cameras is license plate information for the registered owner of the vehicle,” he said. “If you look at your registration, you’ll see that warrants, immigration status, driver’s license status, etc., is not on there.”
The town has contracted with Illinois-based Dacra Tech, LLC, to provide the automated vehicle identification system, in a deal that received unanimous approval from the Vail Town Council.
The town will be using Dacra Tech’s automated speed enforcement system.
The total cost for both enforcement zones will come to approximately $4,000 per month, the police department told the council in June, and to cover those costs, the town would need to issue approximately 143 citations per month.
“Any citations beyond that number would begin to generate net revenue,” said Vail Police Operations Commander Christopher Botkins.
The system is expected to issue a lot of warnings, as the registered owners of vehicles going 26 mph in a 25 mph automated vehicle identification system zone will receive a warning every time they are recorded doing so. Registered owners of vehicles going 36 mph or more will receive a $40 fine every time they are recorded doing so, as well.
“The maximum fine for any citation is $40 with no impact on the driver’s license or insurance,” Kenney said.
Signs have been installed letting drivers know they are entering an automated vehicle identification system zone, and the town is currently in a state-mandated trial period.
“We are scheduled to go live on Nov. 16,” Kenney said.
