Camera tickets do count on driver's license

Question: I have a few questions regarding tickets issued from speed cameras. Does the ticket count against your driver's license, like a ticket issued by a police officer? Are there points lost for a camera ticket? Does such a ticket get reported to one's insurance company? I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Answer: As more and more speed cameras are arriving on Arizona roadways, officers are fielding questions like this all the time.

To answer your question, yes, if you are held responsible, the ticket counts against your driver's license, just as if it were issued by police officer.

The ticket is not reported to your insurance company. Nevertheless, you must remember that the information can be obtained if the insurance carrier wants to find it.

One thing to consider is that if a ticket is reported to your insurance company and you have completed defensive driving school, your carrier cannot raise your rates. Driving school can be attended once every two years.

Please adhere to the speed limit to reduce your chances of an accident as well as saving yourself the possibility of fines, points on your license and higher insurance.

If you haven't noticed already, two cameras are being set up between 75th Avenue and Interstate17 along Loop 101. The DPS mobile camera unit is all over.

These are just ways to get people to slow down in an attempt to reduce accidents and injuries on Arizona highways.

Jim Cousins, president of the Peoria Police Officers Association, answers questions about public safety. E-mail questions to askacop@q.com. Because of the number of queries, it may be several weeks before your question is addressed.