Q.What constitutes a red light violation?
A. A red light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red, when waiting to turn for example, are not considered red light violators.
Q. How often do drivers run red lights?
A. Studies show that a red light violation occurs once every five to 12 minutes at a typical busy intersection.
Q. Why not use conventional police enforcement to catch red light runners?
A. Traditional enforcement is time-consuming and creates a safety hazard when police chase violators through a red light. This puts other motorists, pedestrians, and the officer in danger. Police cannot be everywhere at one time, and the cameras will allow officers to focus on other enforcement areas.
Q. What safety benefits do red light cameras provide?
A. Red light camera systems have been shown to reduce red light violations and intersection crashes. A study by the Institute of Highway Safety showed a 42 percent decrease in red light running violations after cameras were installed at nine intersections in Oxnard, California. Another study showed violations decline approximately 40 percent in Fairfax, Virginia, after one year of camera enforcement. Often times, a spill over effect results from automated enforcement: other intersections not monitored by automated enforcement also see a decrease in violations and accidents because of the presence of enforcement in other areas of the community.
Q.Do the cameras photograph every vehicle that passes through an intersection?
A. No. The cameras are set so that only vehicles that enter an intersection after the light has turned red are photographed. Drivers who enter on yellow and find themselves in an intersection when the light changes to red are not photographed. This technology is intended to catch vehicles driven by motorists who intentionally enter an intersection after the signal has turned red.
Q. How does the camera system work?
A. The camera system takes a series of three images; sometimes there is a fourth image taken of longer vehicles such as buses or tractor-trailers. The first image shows the vehicle before the white stop line with the red light illuminated. The second image shows the license plate of the violator past the white stop line, and the third image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the red light illuminated. Other relevant data, including the time, date, and duration of the yellow and red lights is also recorded. See the Statement of Technology for further explanation.
Q. Where are the cameras located?
A. Cameras are installed at intersections with startling crash statistics and no apparent engineering solution. See Camera Locations for additional data.
Q. How will I know if I have received a citation?
A. Red light citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle following the review of the image data by trained police officers.
Q. What if the registered owner was not driving the car?
A. The registered owner may rebut the citation by 1) filing a notarized statement with the court that he or she was not operating the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation; or 2) testifying under oath in court on the assigned appeal date that he or she was not the operator; or 3) providing a certified copy of a police report showing the vehicle was stolen prior to the alleged violation. See Appeals Process for additional information.
Q. How much is the citation fine?
A. The fine for a red light violation is $70. There are several payment options.
Q. How do I appeal a red light citation?
A. See Appeals Process.
