Red Light Camera Citations in Florida

Driving through a red light is dangerous and illegal. Driving through a red light with a red light camera is dangerous, illegal and expensive. Red light tickets usually cost $158, which gets bumped up to $262 if you fail to pay for the offence after your first notification. Here are a few important things you should know red light cameras.

Stop when turning right

These red light cameras are notorious for flashing if you turn right without coming to a complete stop. If you fail to make a complete stop at a red light, even when making a right turn, you can expect to receive a ticket in the mail.

You won't get ticketed for driving through a yellow

The red light cameras are only programed to capture your vehicle if you enter the intersection when the light is red. If you enter when the light is yellow and then it turns red when you are already in the intersection, you will not receive a ticket.

The vehicles registered owner receives the bill

If you're driving your friend's car and blow through a red light, the person registered to the vehicle will receive the bill. The same goes for your car. If someone else drives it through a red light, the ticket will come to you. You can contest this, but it can be difficult to prove.

The first notice does not add points to your license

Getting a red light bill — formally called a Notice of Violation — in the mail will not add points to your driver's license. However, if you fail to pay the first $158 notice, a second notice will be sent with an increased price of $262. If you receive this second notice, which is now counted as a ticket, points are assessed on your license for the violation.

Not every flash ends up being a violation

Sometimes the cameras will go off even if someone did not drive through the red light. This usually occurs when someone makes a hard break before a red light, triggering the cameras without actually driving through. The front wheels of the car might have gone past the trigger point, setting the camera's lights off. When this or similar events happen, a Notice of Violation is not always sent.

It is important to note that each image the camera captures is reviewed by a police officer, who then judges if a violation occurred.

What the cameras capture

The camera will take two pictures and record 12 seconds of video. Your notification will include the date, time, and the intersection location. Most will not capture faces, so the driver of the car is unknown.

Contesting the notice in court

If you feel as if your violation was unmerited, you may contest it in court. In Florida you are being legally cited for s, 316.075(1)(c)1.,Fla.Stat., which says a driver must stop before a red light.

If a red light traffic ticket added points to your license and you want to avoid points and insurance increasing, in addition to learning more about the nuances of the road, considering taking a basic driver improvement (BDI) course.