Many states permit using automated cameras to issue tickets to drivers who fail to stop at red lights. Like other cameras, such as those used to penalize drivers for not paying tolls, disobeying train crossing signals, or not allowing school buses to stop, cameras that issue red light tickets do so to help enforce traffic regulations. Read about red light camera tickets, alongside the rights and challenges of military personnel regarding these traffic violations, and find out how an experienced Virginia traffic law attorney can help military personnel fight their traffic tickets by calling Driving Defense Law at (757) 929-0335.
What Are Red Light Camera Tickets?
A red light camera ticket refers to a type of traffic ticket issued by a law enforcement official after reviewing photographs or videos taken by a red light camera. These photographs or videos help authorities enforce traffic laws by offering proof of a vehicle running a red light, which is an illegal act in every state. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), running a red light is a frequent and deadly occurrence in the United States, with over 1,000 individuals losing their lives in collisions related to red light running in 2021; one of the key reasons why many states have red light cameras is because they discourage the act of running a red light through the ability to enforce the law without the physical presence of a police officer.
How Do Red Light Cameras Work?
States establish red light safety cameras at intersections to identify motorists running the signal. A sensor on the camera estimates the vehicle’s speed during its approach to the intersection, and if the motorist is driving faster than the speed required to stop in time for the signal, the camera photographs or videos the event. The footage or image captured by the camera can identify the license plate number of the vehicle, while also logging the time, date, and incident location.
The process of issuing a red light camera citation varies between states, but the procedure is usually similar, as outlined below.
Camera Footage Review
While the image and video capturing process is automatic, the ticketing procedure has a manual element. The law enforcement official, typically a police officer, reviews the video and photographs and determines whether the motorist violated traffic laws and whether issuing a ticket is necessary. This means if a driver witnesses a red light camera flashing, receiving a citation is not a certainty.
Issue of Red Light Camera Citation
If the officer decides to issue the ticket, the registered vehicle owner receives the citation in the mail at the address linked to the vehicle’s file with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Typically, the owner obtains the ticket between 10 and 90 days after the event. The owner then usually has 30 days to respond.
Explore the rights and challenges of military personnel associated with red light camera tickets in greater depth, and learn how a Virginia traffic law attorney can help with this matter. Contact Driving Defense Law today to arrange a consultation.
Red Light Camera Defenses
Before looking at fighting the camera ticket, start by checking the videos and photos included in the citation; usually, the vehicle owner obtains either a physical copy of the photos alongside a URL for reviewing the videos. While local laws dictate the potential defenses to these citations, here are some general ones.
Videos and Photos Do Not Demonstrate a Violation
Even with videos and photos to hand, reviewers and camera systems can sometimes make mistakes, enabling motorists to use the same evidence for issuing the citation to get the case dismissed. The videos and photos must demonstrate that either the vehicle entered the intersection once the light was red or the vehicle traveled over the line limit. Without this, it is not possible to prove the motorist broke the law.
Lack of Appropriate Signage
Some state laws require signage informing motorists of the use of red light safety cameras at intersections. The same laws also specify the sign’s content and location. If a driver receives a red light safety camera citation at an intersection with incorrect signage per the state’s laws, the motorist could have an effective defense.
Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets
Virginia treats red light safety camera violations differently compared to tickets issued by police officers who catch individuals running the signal. In Virginia, camera tickets do not fall under the category of moving violations. Because of this, these tickets do not affect a person’s driving record or impact the vehicle’s insurance rates; instead, the motorist receiving the ticket can expect a maximum fine of $50.
Who Is Liable To Pay the Ticket if the Driver Was Not the Registered Owner?
Some states assign responsibility for a vehicle running a red light to the driver, whereas others stipulate that the vehicle owner is responsible for the violation. In a similar manner to parking tickets, according to §15.2-968.1 of the Virginia State Code, the responsibility for red light running via a safety camera lies with the vehicle owner in Virginia, regardless of whether they were driving. However, if the owner reports the car stolen and obtains the police report, it is possible to waive the red light safety camera ticket, provided the violation concerns the period where the owner did not have possession of the vehicle.
Can Military Personnel Get Red Light Camera Tickets?
Like other individuals, military personnel can get red light safety camera tickets. That said, emergency and government vehicles operating in an official capacity could be exempt, so military personnel may avoid a ticket when using these vehicles in this manner, although the employed driver could face disciplinary action instead.
Contact a Virginia Traffic Law Attorney Today
Red light automated cameras are increasingly used across the United States, with each state having different rules in place regarding their usage and the penalties faced by those caught running red lights. Individuals who receive a camera ticket for not stopping at a red light may consider contacting an attorney to challenge the ticket if they believe it was unfairly issued. Gain a more comprehensive understanding of red light camera tickets, in addition to the rights of challenges of military personnel concerning these tickets, and discover how a Virginia traffic law attorney from Driving Defense Law can aid those facing automated camera violations; call our legal team today at (757) 929-0335.
