Fort Collins Adopts Speed Corridors Fall 2024

Released on Tuesday, August 20, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

In July 2024, Fort Collins City Council resolved to update the Automated Vehicle Identification Systems (AVIS) Municipal Code through the designation of "speed corridors" along roads within the city that historically show excessive traffic violations.

Recent changes to Colorado law related to the expanded use of photo/radar speed enforcement tools have provided the opportunity to impact traffic speed compliance with the aid of unmanned equipment (CRS 42-4-110.5, SB 23-200, SB 24-195). The primary goal of speed corridors and the Traffic Safety Initiative (TSI) is to promote traffic safety through speed enforcement, eliminate Fort Collins roadway fatalities, and reduce injury crashes. As part of the City's current traffic enforcement program, six intersections are outfitted with redlight cameras that detect red stop-light violations. Through TSI, those cameras will be activated to detect, validate and generate speeding violations where vehicle speed exceeds the posted limit. Additionally, expanded areas throughout Fort Collins that have been designated as "speed corridors" will allow the use of existing speed enforcement vans and two new transportable units that can be placed temporarily in problematic locations to address speed compliance between intersections.

Why designate speed corridors?

Designating specific areas as speed corridors is another step the City of Fort Collins is taking to address dangerous driving on the community roadways. The corridors were selected based on data collected over the past three years regarding the most common locations for injury/fatal crashes, community concerns regarding dangerous driving behavior and citations involving speeding, careless driving, reckless driving and racing. Expanding photo/radar enforcement at key locations and roadways throughout the city supports the City's Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal or serious-injury crashes. Photo enforcement plays an important role in making our streets safer for all.

How will speed be enforced in the corridors?

When a speeding vehicle is detected, the photo/radar system takes a picture of the vehicle and driver. The registered owner of the vehicle then receives a citation in the mail. A ticket from an automated enforcement camera is a valid traffic citation, just as if it were issued by a police officer. Photo/radar enforcement is only used on public streets, and photographs are only taken if drivers are violating traffic laws.

Is this proposal an initiative to generate revenue for the City?

The City uses the automated system to prevent speeding and protect road users, in line with the City's Vision Zero goals. The system is not used for the purpose of generating revenue. Future revenue generated by the AVIS program will be earmarked solely for future traffic safety related work. Citation data and revenue information will be made available and updated on the Fort Collins Municipal Court website, at https://www.fcgov.com/municipalcourt/camera.php/title-vi .

When will the new speed corridors and automated traffic enforcement go into effect?

The adoption of speed corridors in specific areas of Fort Collins is supported by City Council, Municipal Court and the City Attorney's Office. City Ordinances were updated and approved by City Council in July 2024. Accompanying the ordinance update will be a 30-day notification period designated to implement signage in the corridors and provide public awareness that the corridors will be activated. Once in effect, AVIS will issue warnings for an additional 30 days for vehicles traveling over the posted speed limits. After the total 60-day educational period, AVIS will issue citations for speed violations.

"This is just one of the tools available to help create safer roads for everyone," said Fort Collins Police Chief, Jeff Swoboda. "Whether through the use of traffic cameras or these other innovative approaches, it is essential that we continue to explore new ways to promote safety and reduce crashes on our roads."

###