Q: Isn't conventional police enforcement sufficient?
A: Enforcing traffic laws by traditional means poses special difficulties for police, who in most cases must follow a violator through a red light to stop it. This endangers motorists and pedestrians as well as officers. Police can't be everywhere at once. Photo enforcement would free up police to focus on other important community needs.

Q: Are red-light cameras surveillance cameras that are always on?
A: No, Red light cameras are NOT surveillance cameras. The cameras don't record images except when the signal is red. Even when the signal is red, the camera will only capture photos of vehicles that meet specific thresholds. In most cases, those thresholds are very generous (see the next question). The municipalities installing these cameras are not out to capture images of everyone, just to write tickets. Their objective is to penalize those people who blatantly disregard traffic signals, putting all of our lives at risk.

Q: What triggers a red light camera to take a picture?
A: Systems from different suppliers use different types of technology but generally the following must happen: 1) A sensor detects when the traffic signal is in the red phase, which in turn, tells the camera system when the light is red. 2) Another sensor determines that a vehicle is approaching the intersection at a speed that exceeds a setting for that intersection, usually around 15-20mph, indicating the vehicle won't stop. Speed can be sensed by radar, loops in the road, video camera, or laser. What does this mean? These cameras are intended to capture images of those individuals who are blatantly disregarding the signal, blowing through the intersection at a higher rate of speed which is most likely to result in a fatal crash. 3) The vehicle must cross 2 trigger points for the sensor - one before the intersection stop bar and one in the intersection, both with the light still red.

Q: Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed?
A: Yes. Trained police officers or other city officials with the appropriate training and/or certifications will review every picture to verify vehicle information and ensure that the vehicle is truly in violation. This also leaves the same degree of subjective judgement that an officer would use had he/she observed the violation in person. For example, they are able to determine if weather conditions or some type of obstacle may have caused the violation. Tickets are mailed to owners only in cases where it's clear the vehicle ran the red light.

Q: By constantly taking pictures, don’t red light cameras invade motorists’ privacy and show the driver and passengers without them knowing about it?
A: No, Red light cameras do not invade motorists’ privacy. Driving is a regulated activity on public roads. By obtaining a license, a motorist agrees to abide by certain rules, one of which is to obey traffic signals. Remember, red light cameras ONLY capture images during a violation. If you aren't running red lights, your picture won't be taken!! Additionally, Florida would only allow photographs of the rear of the vehicle; no pictures are taken of the driver or passenger compartment, and no pictures are permitted of the front of the vehicle. The photos don't reveal much beyond the color and make of a vehicle and, of course, its license plate number.

Q: Aren’t red light cameras just “cash cows” for local government?
A: No, Red light cameras are about safety first! In fact, many jurisdictions are losing money or just breaking even to provide the program. This safety program is designed to save lives. It’s paid for by the motorists who drive recklessly, making cameras necessary to begin with. Police enforcement, however, is paid for by all of us with tax dollars. What's wrong with a safety program paid for by those who make it necessary? A ticket for less than $100 would be sent to the vehicle's registered owner. The jurisdiction issuing the ticket would receive only a minimal portion of the fine, and the rest of that money would go to support other public safety interests such as local trauma centers.

Q: Would I have a chance to appeal my case?
A: Yes, a citizen has the right to appeal a citation, regardless of where it originated. The information is normally provided on the back of the citation. Red light camera laws indicate what court has jurisdiction over the citations for appeals. Citizens can always take their case to higher level courts under the American system of justice. At the hearing the adjudicator or judge is presented with the same evidence that was provided to all citation reviewers and any innocence explanation that the citizen has provided. The adjudicator or judge may choose to uphold the citation or dismiss the case.

Q: What if my teenager or employee were driving my vehicle and ran the red light and, as the registered owner, I receive the citation?
A: If your teenager or employee were driving in a behavior that endangered their lives or the lives of others, wouldn't you want to know? An ounce of prevention goes a long way! If someone else were driving your vehicle and found at fault in a serious crash, you could be held civilly liable for damages. What does that mean? The victims of that crash can turn around and sue YOU for their loss. In the event of serious injury or fatality, the financial loss to you could be devastating. The citation issued from a photo enforcement camera does not result in points on your license. It's better to know that your vehicle is being driven in an unsafe manner and pay $100 fine so that you can take corrective measures before a tragedy occurs.

Q: I've heard that red light cameras increase the number of rear-end collisions. Is this true and if so, why use them?
A: There is a potential for an increase in rear-end collisions with the installation of red light cameras. The same can be said for the installation of a new traffic signal. Traffic signals are intended to reduce the number of right-angle crashes, which are the most severe type of crash and the most likely to result in serious injury or death. The number of rear-end collisions decrease as drivers become accustomed to the new signal. A temporary peak in rear-end collisions is not uncommon and will subside as driver behavior is modified.

Q: Why don't they just change the length of the yellow light?
A: The timing of the yellow phase is calculated based on the prevailing travel speed. It allows time for a driver to safely clear the intersection if they have already entered it, or provides the distance required for a motorist to safely and comfortably decelerate to a stop. Shortening the yellow signal significantly increase the risk of right angle collisions by not allowing time for those who are already in the intersection to clear before cross traffic begins. Lengthening the cycle can be helpful in some circumstances, but only to a minimum degree. The longer the cycle, the more drivers are likely to take advantage of the opportunity to "squeek through" the light. Furthermore, lengthening of yellow cycles contributes to the overall delay and congestion on already heavily populated roadways.

Q: What organizations endorse automated traffic enforcement?
A: Many organizations endorse the use of automated traffic enforcement: • Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials • American Trauma Society • Federal Highway Administration • Florida Insurance Council • Florida Municipal League of Cities • Florida Sheriff's Association • Governors Highway Safety Association • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety • International Association of Chiefs of Police • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) • Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington • National Association of Mutual Insurance Agencies • National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running • National Center for Bicycling and Walking • National Conference on Highway & Safety Priorities • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration • National Safety Council • Partnership for Safe Driving • Roadway Safety Foundation • The Red Means Stop Coalition • Transportation Alternatives • World Health Organization

Q: What are the top 10 excuses for running a red light?
A:

1. I was late for an appointment.
2. I was speeding and in a hurry.
3. I had to make a call on my cellphone.
4. There were no police cars in sight.
5. I was simply daydreaming and not paying attention.
6. I really don't think it's any big deal...who cares?
7. I was busy looking at my newspaper (or travel directons).
8. I was following the car in front too closely and couldn't see the light.
9. Come on..... I hate to wait at traffic lights!
10. These red signals are just too long!