A. A peace officer has the authority to issue a notice of traffic infraction when the infraction is detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera.

B. A notice of infraction based on evidence detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera must be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within fourteen (14) days of the violation, or to the renter of a vehicle within fourteen (14) days of establishing the renter's name and address under subsection D(1) of this section. The peace officer issuing the notice of infraction shall include with it a certificate or facsimile thereof, based upon inspection of photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images produced by an automated traffic safety camera, stating the facts supporting the notice of infraction. This certificate or facsimile is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it and is admissible in a proceeding charging a violation of RCW 46.61.055(3) or RCW 46.61.440. The photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images evidencing the violation must be available for inspection and admission into evidence in a proceeding to adjudicate the liability for the infraction.

C. A person receiving such a notice of infraction may respond to the notice by mail. The registered owner of a vehicle is responsible for such an infraction unless the registered owner overcomes the presumption in subsection E of this section, or, in the case of a rental car business, satisfies the conditions under subsection D of this section. If appropriate under the circumstances, a renter identified under subsection D(1) of this section is responsible for such an infraction.

D. If the registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car business, the peace officer shall, before such a notice of infraction is issued, provide a written notice to the rental car business that a notice of infraction may be issued to the rental car business if the rental car business does not, within eighteen (18) days of receiving the written notice, provide to the peace officer by return mail:

E. In a traffic infraction case involving an infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera, proof that the particular vehicle described in the notice of traffic infraction was in violation of RCW 46.61.055(3) or RCW 46.61.440, together with proof that the person named in the notice of traffic infraction was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes in evidence a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the person in control of the vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred. This presumption may be overcome only if the registered owner states, under oath, in a written statement to the court or in testimony before the court, that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner (see, RCW 46.63.170 and RCW 46.63.075).

F. A traffic infraction for violation of RCW 46.61.055(3) or RCW 46.61.440 detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall be processed in the same manner as a parking infraction, with the same monetary penalty as a notice of infraction issued for the traffic violation; provided, the amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the maximum fine imposed by ordinance for parking infractions.