Photo Traffic Enforcement is a safety program focused on changing driver behavior at red light intersections through a comprehensive approach involving engineering, education and enforcement. The goal of photo enforcement is to increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. Studies have shown that photo enforcement systems have been effective in reducing the number of speeding and red light violations.

In November 2015 and January 2018, traffic studies were conducted at several intersections along Pacific Highway (99W) in Tigard. The studies considered traffic volume, violation counts and crash data. As a result, three intersections along SW Pacific Highway were identified as priorities for photo traffic enforcement:

• SW 72nd Avenue
• SW Hall Boulevard
• SW Durham Road

In early 2020, photo enforcement equipment was installed at these three intersections. Initially, the system only captured red light violations for enforcement. Speed enforcement was added on July 1, 2020 at two of these intersections: SW 72nd Avenue and Hall Boulevard. 

Photo Red Light:
Cameras monitor intersection approaches through advanced detection and imaging technology. A camera takes five images and a short video of the vehicle progressing through the red light. A vendor technician and a Tigard Police officer both review each violation before a citation is issued to ensure that the driver failed to stop for a red light.

Photo Speed Enforcement:
This is a safety program that utilizes the same equipment, but focuses on speeding violations. The speed of vehicles is measured as they enter the intersection using radar vehicle detection. The technology can track up to 128 objects at a time and measures vehicle speeds through intersections, identifying vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit.

Violations occur when the speed exceeds the established threshold. Cameras capture license plate images of violations and computers record all of the relevant data associated with the violation.

A vendor technician and a Tigard Police officer will both verify the accuracy of each speeding violation before a citation is issued.

Red Light Violations:
A driver's failure to obey a traffic control device is a Class B traffic violation (Oregon Revised Statute 811.265) that carries a presumptive fine of $265 set by the Oregon Revised Statute 153.019.

Speed Violations:
For a speeding violation identified through the photo enforcement system, presumptive fines range from $165 to $440 as set by the Oregon Revised Statutes 811.109 and 153.019:

Class A: $440 – 31mph + over speed limit
Class B: $265 – 21-30 mph over speed limit
Class C: $165 – 11-20 mph over speed limit

A Tigard officer will attempt to match the driver’s photo taken by the photo enforcement cameras to the Oregon DMV description and photo of the person who is the registered owner of the car. If the photo taken does not match the DMV photo and description, the incident would be dismissed. For example, if the registered owner of the car is a 50-year-old man and the photo of the driver appears to be a 20-year-old woman (daughter borrowing dad’s car, let’s say), a violation would likely not be issued.

There are times when the driver of the car resembles the registered owner enough that a violation might be issued to the owner of the car. If that happens and the owner is NOT the driver that committed the violation, the owner has the option to complete a form called “Certificate of Innocence” where they can swear or affirm that they were not the driver. There is a similar form for business owners to complete, if an employee commits a violation while driving a company car.

If you would like to see an example citation packet to review, click here and then click on the Example: “photo red light citation packet” on the right hand side of the page. The Certificate of Innocence is on page 3 of the packet.

Additionally, in the case where a citation is reissued to the owner if the Certificate of Innocence has been submitted, reviewed and rejected, the owner of the car can contact the Tigard Municipal Court directly to ask what their options are to appeal the decision.

• Phone 503-718-2478
• Email court1@tigard-or.gov
• Website 

Unfortunately, there is not a method for us to look up each potential violation. There are a few reasons why a camera may have flashed:

1. You may have committed a violation (red light or speed).
2.  A vehicle near you in the intersection may have committed a violation.
3. The camera(s) may have been adjusting or recalibrating and no violation was committed at all.

A technician and a Tigard Police officer both review each potential violation before a citation is issued. If your action was deemed a violation, you should receive a citation package in the mail within about two weeks. 

Yes. Where permitted, drivers can turn right at a red traffic light, whether it is a solid red light or a red arrow. However, they must first:

• Come to a complete stop
• Check for bicycles, pedestrians, and oncoming and u-turning cars before proceeding, making sure it is safe to turn
• Yield the right of way to traffic lawfully within the intersection

A citation can be issued to drivers who do not come to a complete stop first before they take a right turn at a red traffic light.