A person who receives a traffic citation may contest it by going to the court, Central Orange County Superior Court-Traffic Division and posting bail. After the person has posted bail, the court clerk will assign a court date. On the specified date, the person will be able to plead his/her case before a Traffic Judge/Commissioner. If the judge rules in the person's favor, the bail they posted will be refunded. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Central Orange County Superior Court Traffic Division (Central Justice Center) at (714) 834-3575, or by accessing the web page at:
If you have any questions about your citation or need to obtain a copy of your citation, you can either contact the Police Department Traffic Bureau at (714) 744-7471 or the court at (714) 834-3575.
How can I contest a parking violation?
A person can contest a parking violation by calling Orange Parking Administration at (714) 432-6166. A representative will provide you with instruction on how to contest the citation.
How can I find out if my vehicle has been towed?
A person may call the Orange Police Department's Records Bureau at (714) 744-7380. Be prepared to provide the license plate number, and the last known location of the vehicle.
How can I report an abandoned vehicle?
A person may call the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7444, and relate the location and description of the vehicle. If a person desires to remain anonymous, call the recorded line at the front desk at (714) 744-7473. Please be detailed in your description and location of the abandoned vehicle. An officer from the Traffic Bureau will respond and mark the vehicle. The officer will return after a 72-hour period, and if the vehicle has not been moved, the officer may store the vehicle.
What can be done about illegally parked vehicles, such as those blocking a driveway, or double-parked?
Call the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7444, and a Parking Control Officer will be dispatched. If the person who reported the illegally parked vehicle lives at the location, meets with the officer, and explains they cannot leave the premises due to their vehicle being blocked, the officer may try to locate the owner of the vehicle. If that is not possible, the officer may tow and store the vehicle.
Can I park my RV on the street?
In short, no. Orange Municipal Code 10.34.060 prohibits the parking of any vehicle on City streets that is more than 80 inches wide or 22 feet long. This applies to vehicle in combination. In other words, if your truck is 18 feet long and has a trailer attached that is longer than 6 feet, making it longer than 22 feet, it cannot be parked on the street. This section does not allow the parking of commercial vehicles in residential districts even if they are smaller than the listed dimensions. There are a few exceptions; an oversized non-commercial vehicle can be parked for no more than two consecutive days in front of the owner's residence for loading and unloading. If a visitor is coming with their RV, a permit can be obtained from the Police Department, allowing them to park for up to 7 days. Please call (714) 744-7451 if you have any questions.
What are the four top traffic violations that cause traffic collisions?
• California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) - Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• California Vehicle code Section 21453 (a) - Failing to stop for a red light. California has doubled the fine for red light violations.
• California Vehicle Code Section 22350 - Excessive speed.
In excess of the posted speed limit, or driving at any speed that is unsafe, based on the conditions present (rain, fog and/or driver's behavior or actions, i.e. reading, applying cosmetics) may dictate that even the posted speed is not safe.
• California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) - Failure to yield to oncoming traffic before turning left.
A driver may not negotiate a left turn when another vehicle is approaching, that is so close to be a hazard.
What are the reporting requirements if I've been involved in a traffic collision?
A traffic collision report will be completed by the Orange Police Department when one of the following reporting criteria is met:
• A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured (complaining of pain is considered injury) or dies.
• One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
• One of the involved drivers requests a collision report.
• One of the drivers is seventeen (17) years of age or under and a parent or guardian cannot be contacted.
In addition to filing a traffic collision report with the Orange Police Department, it may be necessary to file other Department of Motor Vehicles Forms. Visit the Department of Motor Vehicleswww.dmv.ca.gov/ web page for more information on state reporting requirements for traffic collisions. www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/formsaccident.htm
Any person involved in a traffic collision, that meets the criteria, can go to the Orange Police Department to make a report. The report should be made as soon as possible. The person reporting the collision needs to bring along the following information:
• The time and location (street address/cross streets) where the collision occurred.
• The license plate number of the vehicle he or she was driving when they were involved in the traffic collision.
• Driver's license.
• Insurance information (name of the insurance company and their policy number).
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers in their vehicle.
• If known, the license plate numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers of all other involved drivers and passengers.
What should I do if I've been involved in a traffic collision?
The first thing to do if you are involved in a traffic collision is to determine if anyone is injured and request police or medical aid. In the State of California, if you are involved in a traffic accident, (injuries or not) you are required by law to STOP and provide identifying information to others involved in the collision. This includes:
• Your driver's license and number. • Your vehicle's license number and the name of the registered owner. • Your insurance company and policy number.
How can I obtain a copy of a traffic report?
To obtain a copy of a traffic report, a person must visit the Orange Police Department's Records Bureau at 1107 N. Batavia, Orange. Traffic reports can be released to authorized persons such as the victim, the victim's representative, or as provided in Section 20012 of the Vehicle Code.
To obtain a copy of a traffic report, please provide:
A check or money order payable to the Orange Police Department in the amount of $20.00. This is a non-refundable administrative fee charged to cover the cost of the records search and processing.
• The location and the individuals involved in the collision, if known • The insurance policy number if the requestor is an insurance company • A release from an involved party if the request is from an attorney • The type of report - traffic • A report (DR) number, if known • The vehicle license number, when applicable
What type of safety seat do I need for my child?
California law requires that any child under 6 years of age or who weighs less than 60 lbs., be secured in an approved safety seat while in a moving vehicle. Infants less than one year old and who weigh less than 20 lbs., should be secured in an approved rear-facing infant seat and never placed in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with an air bag safety system. Each year, hundreds of children die needlessly in traffic collisions because they were not properly restrained in a safety seat. It is estimated that 80% of all child safety seats are either improperly installed or are unsafe due to wear and tear. Be sure to follow the manufacturers installation instructions carefully or contact your local police department for assistance. You can contact www.safekids.org for more information regarding child safety.
