Red Light Violation or Not Red Light Violation

The third picture has cameras that are used to control traffic signals. They are not red light cameras. Generally any camera that looks at the front of your car is not a red light camera. The other tip-off is that they are at nearly every intersection. New York City may have areas where almost every intersection has a red light camera, but not Pompano Beach.

dobs108

Pompano Beach does not have any red light cameras at this time. However, that may change in the future.
The nearby city of Fort Lauderdale has installed cameras at several of their intersections already.

Depends on if you live in FL and whether they ticket non residents if not. Some states only ticket their own people, or so I heard.

was from out of state

In New York they ticket everybody from any state. There is a special section of the law for car rental.

dobs108

whats consider a red light violation? if the car just gone past the line, but then stops, would that be a violation? my thinking always been that they need 2 pics for proof, one after the line, and one passing the intersection, am i wrong about this...?

In New York State, you can proceed into the intersection on yellow. If the light turns red after you crossed the stop line, it is still okay to proceed.

The problem is that if you approach a red light and stop with the front of your car just past the stop line, a police officer will probably not give you a ticket, but a red light camera will.

dobs108

Different areas have different requirements but almost all have a universal marking indicating the intersection boundary. The "stop line" is the accepted boundary, but getting a ticket for crossing the line on red is still judgment. The camera will take your picture when your wheels are across the line, an officer will judge if you were too far into the intersection - like in the crosswalk. Some say anytime you are across the line and the light is red is a violation, others use some discretion. What many don't realize is the cameras also have a short video from which the picture is taken. The video will show if you came to a full stop before crossing the line. Short answer - it depends on who reviews the camera files.

Can't recall where I read this, but apparently 30-35% of camera "violations" are thrown out for one reason or another, so no ticket is then sent to the "offender". Not sure if this is a regional statistic as this was on the west coast.

Florida has been very good about installing traffic cameras at their lights so that traffic demand can be accommodated, especially for left turn signals. What you will also see at the traffic lights is a blue light on top of the traffic signal. This is used by the police to determine if you have run a red light. They sit back at a distance and watch the intersection and if the light on top of the traffic signal turns blue and you make a left turn or drive thru the intersection, they either get out of their car and pull you over as you approach them or they chase you down and give you a ticket. I would be surprised if you receive a ticket in the mail.

For it to be considered a violation. Yes the law states passing the line is a violation, but I believe that for a RLC violation (at least in Suffolk County) the criteria is failing to stop and proceeding through the intersection completely.

My comments are based on the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, which is in effect for Nassau and Suffolk Counties. RLC customer service for both counties (AKA the RLC contractors) have assured me they adhere to the law exactly.

1111.(d) Red indications:
1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular red signal, unless to make such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in paragraph two of this subdivision.
2. Except in a city having a population of one million or more, unless a sign is in place prohibiting such turn:
a. Traffic facing a steady circular red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by paragraph one of this subdivision, except that right turning traffic is not required to stop when a steady right green arrow signal is shown at the same time. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the intersection and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection;

dobs108

The contractor reviews 3 seperate images and the requirement for Suffolk is the vehicle must have proceeded thru the intersection. Guess i will have to experment a bit more, but so far, i have yet to hear of a violation for only crossing the line. (hear the voice of experience in the background )

You will be the test case!

It's because in California the ticket is issued to the driver, so if the picture of the driver's face is not clear it's thrown out.

No violation yet!

They are not Red Light Cameras!

dobs108

I hadn't seen that article before, it's good to have photos of all the different types of cameras so you have an idea of why your picture is being taken. Thanks for posting it.

In Arizona it will not be a violation if you have an out of state license. Now rental cars have in state licenses even if you are from out of state.