California Traffic Lawyers

Cameras Causes More Tickets For Moterists

Due to a public perception that people in motor vehicles who run red lights are increasing in number, Council requested staff to study the feasibility of cameras at intersections to deter motorists from running red lights. The Department of Public Safety has researched the issues and costs associated with installing cameras at selected intersections that would record red light violations so that enforcement actions could be taken. The purpose of this enforcement is to increase traffic safety by reducing accidents resulting from red light violations. Based on technical deficiencies, cost, and legal issues, staff believes it is not currently feasible to implement the use of cameras at intersections to deter motorists from running red lights. Staff has included additional alternatives for an increased level of enforcement.

Red light cameras have been used around the world for about the last 15 years. The device was designed to operate at intersections that had a high incidence of accidents caused by people running red lights. While the cameras have been utilized in places like Australia, China, and the Philippines for some time, they have been in use in the United States only for about five years. According to the information obtained by staff, the New York City Department of Transportation has been using the cameras the longest (since 1992) in the United States. They installed about 15 cameras at intersections where people running red lights caused a significant number of accidents.
Red light cameras have been used around the world for about the last 15 years. The device was designed to operate at intersections that had a high incidence of accidents caused by people running red lights. While the cameras have been utilized in places like Australia, China, and the Philippines for some time, they have been in use in the United States only for about five years. According to the information obtained by staff, the New York City Department of Transportation has been using the cameras the longest (since 1992) in the United States. They installed about 15 cameras at intersections where people running red lights caused a significant number of accidents.

While they have experienced about a 10-15 percent decrease in the number of violations, only 60 percent of the photos were suitable for prosecution. Of the 60%, only 23% were sent a notice of liability because many of the vehicles were traveling either too fast or too slow for the camera to produce a useable photograph. Because the cameras are triggered to photograph front and rear plates during a specific time period, vehicles traveling too fast were out of range and vehicles traveling too slow were still in the crosswalk and not in the camera's view. Almost all other states in the U.S., outside of California, classify red light violations similar to parking citations (identification of the driver not required) and hold the registered owner of the vehicle responsible for the violation. However, in California, a red light violation is classified as a "moving violation" for which the driver of the vehicle, not the registered owner, is responsible and therefore must be identified.
Red light cameras have been used around the world for about the last 15 years. The device was designed to operate at intersections that had a high incidence of accidents caused by people running red lights. While the cameras have been utilized in places like Australia, China, and the Philippines for some time, they have been in use in the United States only for about five years. According to the information obtained by staff, the New York City Department of Transportation has been using the cameras the longest (since 1992) in the United States. They installed about 15 cameras at intersections where people running red lights caused a significant number of accidents.

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