Red light cameras are controversial across the country. They automatically take a photo of vehicles that go through red lights and tickets are then sent to those who break the law. There are strong arguments both for and against them. Keep reading to understand these arguments and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you have been injured in a car accident and require the help of a personal injury attorney.
How Red Light Cameras Work
The cameras are connected to traffic signals and sensors. These sensors monitor traffic flow either just before the crosswalk or the stop line. The camera takes a photo of any vehicle that does not stop during the red phase. In most cases, red-light cameras will provide some grace period – generally up to half a second – after the light turns red so that only the most egregious offenders are punished.
There is Additional Overseeing
It is standard for police or trained civilian employees to review all photos and/or video clips to assure that the vehicle in question really did violate the law. These tickets are supposed to be issued only in the event that there is clear and concrete evidence of a red light being run.
Red Light Camera Citations Are Not Generally Moving Violations
One of the important things to keep in mind about red light camera citations is that they are treated as civil offenses in most states – not moving violations. This means that in states that use a point-based system, no points are awarded and there should not be any insurance implications. In fact, some states have rules on the books that insurers cannot consider red light camera citations when they are determining premiums and/or renewals.
However, in three states – California, Arizona, and Oregon – these red light camera citations are treated the same as if the citation was issued by a police officer during a typical traffic enforcement stop. As a result, more red light camera tickets are contested in these states than in other states.
In Some States the Owner of a Car Can Be Responsible for Red Light Running Even if They Were Not in the Vehicle
Some states require that the ticket giver show that the registered owner was the one driving at the time of the accident. However, in other states, these tickets are treated the same way parking tickets are – if a person parks your car illegally you are responsible for the ticket whether or not you were in the vehicle when they parked it illegally. The same is true for red light tickets in some areas.
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident caused by someone running a red light – or someone acting negligently in any other way – contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
