Photo Enforcement

Photo Enforcement Goals

The goal of Beaverton’s photo enforcement program is to increase the safety and quality of life in Beaverton by reducing incidences of two of the most dangerous violations: red light running and speeding. Disobeying a Traffic Control Device (ORS 811.265) and Violating a Speed Limit (ORS 811.111) are both violations identified as primary crash contributing behaviors. The city partners with our vendor to monitor four intersections within the city for red light and speeding violations and to monitor surface streets for speeding violations utilizing advanced digital photo enforcement technology.

Photo Enforcement Flyer

Photo Red Light Enforcement

In January 2001, the City of Beaverton initiated a photo red light program to help alleviate the problem of red light running. In a March 2001 survey, red light running was ranked as the greatest traffic concern of Beaverton residents. 85% of Beaverton residents responded they were concerned about drivers not stopping for red lights in their neighborhood or city.

The most obvious problem is that police officers cannot be everywhere at once. It is simply impossible for officers to continuously monitor an intersection with the uninterrupted focus of a photo red light camera. Another important consideration is the potential danger associated with police officers following red light runners through heavily congested intersections. The pursuit of red light runners can pose a serious risk for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and police officers. Assuming it was feasible to safely enforce an intersection, it would take at least three full time officers to enforce an intersection for one shift and this cannot be maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Obviously the cost would exceed the City’s opportunity to responsibly enforce one intersection using traditional methods. Photo red light enforcement is safer and more efficient and cost effective than traditional methods of intersection enforcement.

Intersections currently equipped with functioning camera systems are:

• SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway at SW Griffith Drive
• SW Walker Road at SW Cedar Hills Boulevard
• SW Scholls Ferry Road at SW Hall Boulevard
• SW Allen Boulevard at SW Lombard Avenue

All equipped intersections are fully signed indicating they are photo enforced. Violations are captured ONLY when a vehicle crosses the first line of the crosswalk and enters the intersection AFTER the signal has turned red. Violations are screened by our vendor to ensure they meet city standards. Citations are authorized for mail delivery ONLY AFTER they are reviewed and digitally signed by a Beaverton Police Department photo enforcement officer.

Right Turn on Red Flyer

IIHS report link

Intersection Speed Enforcement

In 2017, the Oregon legislature passed amendments to state law allowing cities to enforce speeding violations of 11 MPH or more above the posted speed limit during the green and yellow phases at intersections. The amendments also allow a speeding citation to be issued if the driver is traveling 21 MPH or more above the posted speed limit during the red phase, in addition to a violation for failing to obey a traffic control device.

A 30-day warning period, allowing drivers with infractions to receive only a warning, was instituted between September 15, 2018 and October 15, 2018. A total of 3,593 warnings were issued. Issuance of citations for speeding violations was phased in on the following dates:

• On October 16, 2018 at SW Walker Road and SW Cedar Hills Boulevard
• On November 15, 2018 at SW Allen Boulevard and SW Lombard Avenue
• On January 10, 2019 at SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway and SW Griffith Drive
• On August 19, 2019 at SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road

In 2018, prior to beginning the speed enforcement at intersections, the City conducted community notifications. This included press releases detailing intersection speed enforcement on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, the City website and Flash Alert. BPD spoke to, and did interviews with, every major news station in our area, including radio. Each news station was provided a “press packet” which included safety data, technology data, roll out times, and more.

A trifold brochure was developed and is available in the lobby of the Beaverton Police Department for reference about the program. These brochures are also available to the public.

Intersection Speed Brochure

Folleto de velocidad de intersección

On January 11th 2019, we posted a follow up release on our Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor platforms.

The City of Beaverton’s public information efforts were enormously successful. During our most recent polling, 94% of Beaverton Residents were Aware of the City’s Red Light Campaign, according to a community members survey.