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Traffic Unit
About the Unit
The Opa-locka Police Department has its own Traffic Enforcement Unit. The unit investigates hit and run accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents and private vehicle traffic accidents. The unit also responds to community complaints of any type of vehicular traffic problems that need to be addressed. The unit currently has 3 Motorcycle and 3 Police Vehicles. To report any traffic-related concerns you can email us at traffic@opalockapd.com.
To report any traffic signal problems, missing or damaged signs, please contact Miami Dade County Traffic Control Center from your phone @ 311 or email the Miami Dade.
Red Light Cameras:
******* Important Message regarding our Local Red Light Camera Hearings. For the months of October, November, & December all hearings will be rescheduled between the months of January February & March 2018. Please look in your mailbox for a rescheduled date and time. If you need to change your address, please call 1-866-790-4111 or for further information.
The city of Opa-locka Currently has 8 Red Light Cameras. Since the start of the program, the intersections with the cameras have reduced injury and vehicular traffic crashes. This reduces the cost associated with the handling of accidents passed on to the taxpayer by reducing the need for Fire Rescue, Police Services, and to include the inconvenience of rerouting traffic and delays.
The State of Florida has created and put into effect Florida State Statute 316.0083 The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program in order to standardize the operation of statewide Red Light Camera programs throughout the state. The City of Opa-locka is in accordance with the Florida State Statute rules & regulations along with any guidelines or rulings set forth by Miami-Dade County Courts and other State of Florida case law rulings.
These cameras have also helped identify vehicles involved in criminal activity leading to solving crimes within the City of Opa-locka.
Violators have 60 days from the notice date to choose from several options for resolution.
1) Pay the violation ($158.00) at the Violation Info website or call 1-866-790-4111.
At the moment, we do not accept payments at any of the city of Opa-locka locations.
2) Submit a local hearing request. Be advised in accordance with Florida State Statute, an administrative fee of $50.00 will be assessed automatically ($208.00). A city of Opa-locka Police Officer and or representatives will always be in attendance at all hearings. If the magistrate dismisses your violation and rules in your favor, no fines or fees will apply.
If the magistrate rules that a violation did occur, a total fine of $308.00 will be assessed with no points against your license. If the fines are not paid within the time given and ordered by the magistrate, the registered owner of the vehicle will not be able to renew his or her tag on any vehicle registered under his or her name until the fines are paid in full.
All these rules are in accordance with Florida State Statute 316.0083 Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program
Registered owners are responsible for all violations belonging to their vehicle. Drivers who go past the 60 days will then be issued a State of Florida Uniform Traffic Violation in accordance with Florida State Statutes and increased fines and penalties. Once the Violation has become a Uniform Traffic Citation, these matters will then be handled through the Miami Dade County Courts. More information can be obtained by calling 305-275-1111 or visit the Miami Dade Clerk website
For more Red Light Cameras facts and information, please visit the following links: Information, Affidavit, Request a hearing form downloads: Violation Info
You can submit any red light camera questions or concerns to Red Light Camera email.
Most Asked Questions
Q: What is the Photo Enforcement Program?
A: This is a traffic safety program in which the Police Department/Sheriff Office utilizes state-of-the-art digital cameras and violation detection systems for the purpose of decreasing violations of the traffic control regulations and reducing collisions. A vehicle may not enter an intersection when the traffic control light is in the red phase. In the absence of a right turn on red restriction, a vehicle may make a right turn on the red, but only after making a complete stop, and assuring that it is safe to proceed.
Q: How do Red Light Cameras work?
A: Each intersection is outfitted with a high-resolution high-speed digital camera. The cameras are activated by sensors which are located at the intersection. The cameras are activated when a vehicle is detected by the sensors entering the intersection after the light has turned red. The camera takes two digital photos which document the violation. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and operates in all weather conditions. The system is only activated when a vehicle runs a red light. All intersections with red light cameras are clearly marked. The Police Department/Sheriff Office reviews every violation before the citation is issued. Citations contain an image of a violating vehicle before it enters the intersection, while it is in the intersection, and the license plate of the vehicle.
Q: Why did I receive a Notice of Violation?
A: A Notice of Violation for a red light violation is issued when your vehicle fails to stop at a clearly marked stop line or at any other stopping point described in the ordinance when facing a steady circular red signal.
Q: I have received a Notice of Violation ("NOV"). What are the steps to submit an affidavit?
A: The registered owner of a vehicle will be mailed the Notice of Violation. The registered owner of the vehicle is deemed responsible for the violation and the payment of a $158.00 penalty unless, in compliance with Florida Statute § 316.0083(1)(d)1.a-d, the registered owner establishes by a sworn affidavit that a statutory exemption applies.
The exemptions are that the motor vehicle: (a) passed through the intersection in order to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle or as part of a funeral procession; (b) passed through the intersection at the direction of a law enforcement officer; (c) was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person; (d) a UTC was issued by a law enforcement officer to the driver of the motor vehicle for the violation of Florida Statute § 316.074(1) and § 316.075(1)(c)1 stated in this Notice; or (e) the motor vehicle’s owner was deceased on or before the date that the UTC was issued.
The registered owner may submit information and supporting documentation by mailing an Affidavit that is downloadable from www.ViolationInfo.com.
If you assert that the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of another person, you must provide the name, address, date of birth, and, if known, the driver’s license number of the person who leased, rented, or otherwise had care, custody, or control of the vehicle at the time of the violation. Acceptance of this assertion by the Police Department/Sheriff Office will result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation to the person named in the affidavit if the violation occurred on or after July 1, 2013.
If the vehicle was stolen, then the affidavit must include a copy of a police report showing the vehicle to have been stolen.
If you assert that a UTC was issued by a law enforcement officer for the violation of Florida Statue § 316.074(1) and 316.075(1)(c)1, stated in the notice, then you must include the serial number of the UTC. For faster processing, you may, but are not required to, include a copy of the UTC.
The affidavit must be sworn before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths.
If an owner furnishes satisfactory evidence and the affidavit complies with the requirements of Florida Statute § 316.0083, the violation will be dismissed. When naming another person as the driver, a Notice of Violation will be issued to the person identified in the evidence as the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the Violation.
Q: I have received a Uniform Traffic Citation ("UTC"). What are the steps to submit an affidavit? A: A post UTC Affidavit is used to establish a statutory exemption and must be downloaded from www.ViolationInfo.com. and mailed to the address on the affidavit. You may also bring the affidavit with you to a court hearing with the Clerk or Court.