Traffic light cameras: what you need to know | RAC Drive (2024)

Traffic light or red lightcamerasat busy junctions play a vital role in keeping our roads safe. But if you’ve accidentally run a red light, it may not be clear whether or not you’ve been caught.

A common sight on UK road for over 20 years, traffic light cameras are designed to enforce some of the most important rules of the road and discourage people from driving through red lights. And if you've been caught by a red light camera, you may face a fine or points on your driving licence.

Here we’ll cover what you need to know – from what triggers the cameras, to what to do if you think you’ve been snapped.

How do red lighttraffic cameras work?

Traffic light or red lightcameras detect vehicles which pass through lights after they’ve turned red by using sensors or ground loops in the road.

When traffic lights are on red, the system becomes active and the camera is ready to photograph any car that passes over the trigger.

It’s an offence for any part of your vehicle to pass the white stop line if a traffic light has turned red.

The vast majority of red light cameras in the UK are made by Gatsometer.

These Gatso RLC 36 units also have built-in radar technology, with dual speed and red light functions, so for the sake of safety and the law, avoid the temptation to put your foot down when they start to change.

Does every traffic light have a camera?

No, but they are quite common. Usually bigger and busier junctions have red light cameras; if a junction is a bit of an accident-prone area, then they're more likely to be installed as well.

The best advice is just to treat every junction as if there are cameras, and be careful not to disobey the lights or drive over the white lines.

Why do we need red light cameras?

All traffic light cameras are there for our safety. They’re typically installed in high-risk areas, perhaps where someone has previously been injured or an accident has occurred after a red light was run.

At busy junctions and crossings you’ll often also see smaller cameras on top of the lights themselves. These are there to help monitor traffic and congestion on roads, but do not flash for driving offences.

Do traffic light cameras flash?

There’s no guarantee you’ll know you’ve been caught immediately, unless the camera unmistakably flashes.

But traffic light cameras don’t always flash like Gatsometer’s more common yellow box speed cameras, so it can be tricky to judge if you made it through in time.

While Gatsometer cameras will produce a distinctive flash whenever taking a photo, newer versions of the Trevulo-D speed cameras – which can also double up as red light cameras – use an infra-red flash which isn’t visible to the driver.

If your car is captured by either, you’ll receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days, once the photo has been reviewed.

What happens if you've been caught by a traffic light camera?

The NIP will ask the registered owner to name the offending driver, complete each section and return it within 28 days.

In most cases, the notice will ask for an admission of guilt and order the payment of a fixed penalty fine in place of taking the case to court.

You’ll also have the right to appeal a penalty notice if you feel you had mitigating circumstances for running a red light.

  • Motorway cameras - which ones can catch you out?
  • Speed cameras – what you need to know
  • What are the main driving offences and their punishments?

What defencecan I use to challenge a red light offence?

In all likelihood, very few. As a ‘strict liability’ offence, you won’t get away with simply insisting you ‘didn’t intend’ to run the light, if photographic evidence proves you did.

The only circumstances which may offer a defence include:

  • Proving you did not go through the red light
  • Proving there was a defect with the light or related signage

Further, special reasons may also be considered by a court and lead to a re-assessment of your punishment.

However, it is unlikely you will be let off for allowing an emergency vehicle to pass.

What's the penality for running a red light?

Aside from the most important cost – the safety of you and other road users – if caught running a red lightyou’ll be required to pay a fine.

The current penalty for failing to stop for a red light is usually an £100 fine and threepoints on your licence. The points will stay on record for four years.

If you fail to sign or respond to a NIP, or provide the details of the correct offending driver if disputed, you could face prosecution, six penalty points and a maximum fine of £1000.

Most constabularies also offer educational courses to motorists who are caught running a red light.

Do you always get points for running a red light?

Three penalty points will usually be imposed on your driving licence if you have failed to comply with a red traffic light signal. However, if the police deem the matter to be particularly serious or dangerous, you may be required to go to court.

The RAC offers dedicatedbusiness breakdown services, as well as specialist products likevan breakdown coverandlegal expenses insurance

Get complete peace of mind at home and at the roadside with RACbreakdown covertoday.

Traffic light cameras: what you need to know | RAC Drive (2024)

FAQs

Traffic light cameras: what you need to know | RAC Drive? ›

Traffic light or red light cameras detect vehicles which pass through lights after they've turned red by using sensors or ground loops in the road. When traffic lights are on red, the system becomes active and the camera is ready to photograph any car that passes over the trigger.

What happens if you accidentally run a red light in NJ? ›

Like most moving violations, running a red light carries a fine of $50 to $200, up to 15 days in jail (seldom imposed absent an accident or other aggravating circumstances), and two points. The fine can be doubled if the violation occurred in a construction zone or a "Safe Corridor."

Can you get a ticket from a traffic camera NJ? ›

New Jersey prohibits red light camera enforcement following the end of its automated traffic enforcement pilot program.

What are the camera looking things on top of traffic lights? ›

Traffic detection camera

This camera, however, is actually a video image vehicle detection system (VIVDS). These cameras are used by the traffic signal controller computer to determine the presence of vehicles so that it can change the signals accordingly.

How much is a ticket for running a red light in NY? ›

If your car is caught by a camera driving through a red light, you will be sent a Notice of Liability (NOL) in about 30 days. The fine is $50. Regardless of who was driving, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for the ticket. Red light camera violations do not result in any points on your driving record.

Can you get a ticket from a red light camera in NJ? ›

Continuing issue

Even though you will not receive a ticket from a red light camera in New Jersey, it does not mean you will never have one of these tickets show up in your mailbox. The states surrounding New Jersey all use them, and if you need to travel through those states, you could end up with a nasty surprise.

Why are red light cameras banned in NJ? ›

“We banned red light cameras in New Jersey almost a decade ago because they violate residents' privacy,” said Senator Scutari (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset). “They are used primarily to generate revenue, not improve traffic safety.

Do traffic light cameras work in New Jersey? ›

New Jersey law prohibits the use of speed cameras. The report said 26 states and Washington D.C. have laws allowing automated enforcement and 20 states have some form of camera enforcement in use. A pilot program in New Jersey using red light cameras at select intersections ended in Dec. 2014.

What are the cameras on top of traffic lights in NJ? ›

The cameras that do record "everything" are traffic cameras, which are typically found along state highways and toll roads. Traffic cameras, which are located in public areas, record traffic delays, incidents and weather conditions, according to the NJDOT website.

What are the small cameras on top of lights? ›

Put another way, they are sensors and wireless devices used for traffic safety and helping traffic engineers. All in all, you shouldn't be alarmed if you see a camera and while you might think the camera on top of a traffic signal is a red-light camera, they're usually not.

What does a white light on a traffic light mean? ›

When enough AVs are approaching the intersection, this would activate the white light. The white light is a signal that AVs are coordinating their movement to facilitate traffic through the intersection more efficiently.

What happens if you accidentally ran a red light? ›

In California, running a red light can cost you — in both fines and increases to your insurance rates — and result in points on your license. It's possible for running a red light to result in license suspension, in certain cases.

How do you beat the red light camera ticket in New York? ›

Clearly explain why you believe the ticket is unjust and present your evidence to support your case. Include any relevant documentation and a copy of the ticket, if necessary. Submit your appeal and all supporting evidence by mail or through the specified online portal.

Do red light tickets affect insurance in NY? ›

On the other hand, in states where a red light camera ticket is considered a moving violation, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, it is a minor offense that usually does not have a large impact on premiums.

Is it bad if I accidentally ran a red light? ›

The Cost Of Running A Red Light In California

The base fine for rolling through a red light is $100, but that increases because of additional court costs in different counties. Going right through a solid or flashing red light can end up costing you a cool $500.

What happens if I ran a red light by accident? ›

Therefore, if a police officer observes a motorist running a red light, they will be issued a traffic ticket for a moving violation. It's worth noting that California has some of the highest fines in the country–costing hundreds of dollars.

Do all red lights have cameras in NJ? ›

In other words, New Jersey would tell other states to take a hike if they reach out to collect a fine. The Garden State scrapped its red-light camera program eight years ago.

How much is a red light ticket in Jersey? ›

In addition, you'll also be assessed points that could result in a license suspension or worse. Your New Jersey red light citation will vary based the nature of your violation. Expect to pay at least $52 and as much as $202 or more depending on your circumstances.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6052

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.