FAQ

Q.
 Where is Charlack?
A.

Charlack is a suburb of St. Louis, MO.  City Hall is located at 8401 Midland Blvd., Charlack, MO  63114.

Please direct all inquiries pertaining to the violation notice to:

Automated Speed Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 270298
St. Louis, MO  63127
Telephone:  877-922-2012 (toll free)
 
  
Q.
 What is automated speed enforcement?
A.

An automated speed enforcement system automatically detects, photographs, and identifies drivers exceeding the speed limit and then issues violation notifications to the registered owners of those vehicles via mail.

Automated speed enforcement is extremely important to the safety of our community. Automated traffic enforcement systems are helping to improve the long-term behavior of drivers in safety-minded communities across the globe.
 
  
Q.
 Why are automated speed enforcement systems used?
A.

Automated speed enforcement systems supplement existing enforcement efforts. These unmanned, automated systems accomplish the same task with greater effectiveness and improved public safety.

City of Charlack police officers already use electronic speed enforcement methods, such as radar, to monitor drivers and issue tickets to speeders. This automated speed enforcement system will support our police officers in reducing vehicle accidents while increasing public and police officer safety. Our officers can be deployed to other important policing duties and community assignments.
 
  
Q.
 What is the objective of using automated speed enforcement in the Charlack community?
A.

Better safety and reducing incidents of excessive speeding are our primary traffic control goals. This system will control speeds in enforced zones, improve traffic flows, and result in fewer speed-related accidents.

Our objectives are to modify driving behavior, increase public safety, increase police officer safety and maximize the overall utilization of our community’s police and safety enforcement resources.
 
  
Q.
 Do automated speed enforcement systems work?
A.
 Automated speed enforcement systems have proven to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities in tests across the globe.
 
  
Q.
 Why is the City of Charlack focused on speeding drivers?
A.
 Speed is a major cause of fatal crashes where nationally over 30% of all crashes result in a fatality. Speed related accidents kill more than 1000 Americans every month. Speed is estimated to cost $40 Billion each year in America.
 
  
Q.
 Is speed a problem in the Charlack community?
A.
 The number one traffic complaint among our neighborhood residents is speeding. Residents are concerned because speeding in their neighborhoods and school zones compromise the safety, security and quality of life in their home community. Speeding is a major cause of all vehicle crashes and speed enforcement is a constant priority for ensuring our public’s safety.
 
  
Q.
 Do other communities use these systems?
A.
 Yes. Automated speed enforcement systems are used by municipalities throughout the country and across the globe. Leading national transportation, safety, and law enforcement agencies recommend such systems including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the American Automobile Association (AAA). Automated speed enforcement systems are helping to improve the long-term behavior of drivers in safety-minded communities across the globe.
 
  
Q.
 Why not just have more officers to enforce speed limits?
A.
 The automatic speed enforcement system allows the City of Charlack to monitor and provide a more robust speed enforcement system in our municipality’s neighborhoods and school zones.
 
  
Q.
 Where/when did I get this citation? (How fast was I going? What is the speed limit?)
A.
 The violation date, time, location, posted speed limit you’re your documented excessive speed are printed on the notice you received --- on the left, just above the photo of your car.
 
  
Q.
 Where will this automated system be used in the Charlack community?
A.

The system will be used wherever speed enforcement is priority. Sites largely determined by our community’s citizen complaints and locations that historically have speeding vehicles creating a dangerous environment for others.

School zones are one example of a high priority. Locations with pedestrian crossings, neighborhood streets used as secondary arteries, and any other location determined necessary to promote better public safety.

Better safety is our primary traffic control goal through controlling speeds in enforced zones, improving traffic flows, and fewer speed related accidents.
 
  
Q.
 How much do I owe?
A.
 The amount due, and the date due, are listed on the notice you received.
 
  
Q.
 How do I know the speed-enforcement camera is accurate?
A.
 The camera is engineered, designed, tested, and calibrated to ensure its accuracy.
 
  
Q.
 Is it legal or what law allows for automated speed enforcement to issue a citation?
A.
 Yes. Charlack, MO Municipal Ordinance # 10-952 and State Statutes including: Section 304.010.4 which allows cities, towns, and villages to “regulate the speed of vehicles on state roads and highways within such cities, towns, or villages corporate limits by ordinance” and… Section 304.120 Subsection 1 states “municipalities, by ordinance, may establish reasonable speed regulations for motor vehicles within the limits of such municipalities.”
 
  
Q.
 Who issued this violation?
A.
 An officer of the City of Charlack Police Department, whose signature appears on the violation notice.
 
  
Q.
 I wasn’t driving the vehicle; do I still have to pay?
A.
 Yes.  The civil citation is assessed against the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who was driving.
 
  
Q.
 How do I contest this violation?
A.
 If you wish to dispute the Notice of Violation that was mailed to you, do not send payment. You will be mailed a Notice of Court Date and to appear. A judge will preside and rule on the matter.
 
  
Q.
 How do you know I was speeding?
A.
 The automated speed enforcement system automatically detects, Photographs, and identifies those exceeding the posted speed limit and issues violation notices to the registered owners of these vehicles.  Your violation notice contains a photo of your vehicle, your documented excessive speed, the location and posted speed limit.
 
  
Q.
 What kind of offense is this?
A.
 This speeding violation is a civil offense, not a criminal offense.
 
  
Q.
 Will I get “points” assessed against my driver’s license?
A.
 No.
 
  
Q.
 Will you notify my auto insurance company be notified of this speeding violation?
A.
 No.
 
  
Q.
 What if my violation notice is stamped “WARNING”?
A.
 If your notice is stamped “Warning” in large letters, this is a courtesy notification to inform you that your excessive speed violation has been documented by Automated Speed Enforcement.  You do not have to pay this violation stamped “Warning”.  After the brief warning period expires, further violations will result in a fine.
 
  
Q.
 Is there a way to reduce the fine and learn more about traffic safety?
A.
 Yes. You may receive a $35.00 refund by attending a free traffic safety class offered by the City of Charlack on the first Thursday of each month. The three hour class is typically held from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. If the violator attends the class, a refund check will be provided at the end of class. Please call the City of Charlack at 314-427-4715 extension 1 for more information if you would like to attend.