Are Red Light Cameras Legal in California?
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The traffic violation that is most frustrating for California drivers is the red light camera ticket. Everyone hates opening up the mailbox and finding that ticket. However, you may wonder are red light cameras legal in California?
As it seems, California cities and towns are continuously going back and forth on whether or not red light cameras should be used. Furthermore, there are many scams and misinformation about these types of tickets.
So Are Red Light Cameras Legal in California?
Really; are red light cameras legal in California? Yes they are. Since the introduction of the California Vehicle Code section 21455.5, allowing red light cameras, many California cities started using automated enforcement cameras to monitor red light violations. There does need to be a warning sign posted that is visible from all directions.
How Does a Red Light Camera Work?
Red light cameras are installed at an intersection and synchronized with traffic lights. A ticket gets issued when the sensor detects a car crossing the line after the light has changed to red. If you are in the intersection simultaneously when the light turns red or enter an intersection of a yellow, you should not receive a ticket.
What is Captured During a Violation?
Red-light cameras capture two photos—one of a car crossing the intersection during a red light. The second photo is of the car in the middle of the intersection. Furthermore, the second photo is evidence that the car entered the intersection purposefully. Also, it contains the date, time, location, violation number and car speed. Finally, more details on how how the cameras work here.
What Happens When You Get a Red Light Ticket?
Firstly, if you are found guilty, a point will automatically be added to your driving record. Secondly, the point can cause higher insurance rates for the next three years. Thirdly, you may be suspended from driving as well. Finally, that is dependent on how many points your record may currently hold.
Additionally, you will have to pay a fine of around $480 for a red light camera ticket. In most states, this ticket would only cost around $100, but in California, the average red light camera ticket cost is $480. That is why these traffic tickets are so upsetting as they are one of the most expensive California traffic tickets.
How to Fight Red Light Camera Tickets
Unlike a red light ticket without a camera, with these tickets there are no witnesses to the violation. A police officer is not present to confirm that a violation did occur. Moreover, the only evidence is the photos taken by the camera. So there are a lot more ways to get this ticket dismissed than a red ticket violation handed to you by a police officer.
Here are some aspects to think about when considering fighting the violation:
- Did the yellow light give enough time? The length of time of the yellow light before it changes to red and starts taking a photo must meet California’s legal requirement, which varies from 3 to 5 seconds depending on the posted speed limit. Cities and red light camera operators make money off of these tickets. Therefore, shortening yellow lights is a way to increase the number of red light violations. If you believe the yellow light was too short, go to the intersection and time the change from yellow light to red light. Furthermore if the light rapidly changes, you have a legitimate reason to fight your ticket.
- Who was driving the vehicle at the violation time? Are you the registered owner of the vehicle at the time of the photograph but not the driver at the time of the photo? If you were not the driver then you have every right to fight this ticket.
- Are there adequate signs posted at the intersection where you were photographed? Furthermore, were the signs posted properly? According to the law, signs must be posted within 200 feet of the intersection.
- Was the camera machine functioning properly?
5. Does this ticket come with two photos? Every red light ticket is required to have the two photos discussed above. If one photo is missing or the photos are blurry and unable to clearly identify the driver or the vehicle then you can get this ticket dismissed.
6. Did you run the red light for safety reasons? If you were running the red light to avoid greater harm to yourself or another person around you, then the ticket could be dismissed as you may have acted out of necessity and did the right thing.
How Do I Know If a Red Light Camera Ticket is Legitimate?
There are scammers who try to make money off of red light camera tickets. So here are other things to watch out for:
Telephone or Email Scam: Scammers try to intimidate people into paying for fake outstanding tickets over email or telephone. Know that police officers or traffic courts will NOT call or email you about a red light camera ticket.
Missing Information: Do a thorough review of the ticket you receive in the mail. Many scam red light camera tickets will have missing details such as court date, court address/hours and a “Notice to Appear” section.
If unsure about are red light cameras legal in California and the tickets associated with it, go to the official county court website of where the violation is claimed to have occurred and check their system for a record of the violation. Additional information, feel free to contact us at GetDismissed. We can help establish if a ticket is legitimate and what to do next if it is. We specialize in helping California drivers dismiss their unfair red light camera tickets.
GetDismissed Traffic Ticket Dismissal Service
A majority of us are very inexperienced when it comes to fighting red light camera tickets. So, it’s best not to try and fight it by yourself but to get some fundamental and readily available support. getdismissed.com is a California traffic ticket dismissal service that has helped tens of thousands of California drivers dismiss their traffic violations through the Trial by Written Declaration process. A trial by written declaration is fighting your traffic ticket in writing instead of going to court. Get started today!
Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court. As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more. Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…
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What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?
GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.
We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.
