how do red light cameras work?

 

Robert F., I don't know about Tulsa, but here's how our paper explained it: What counts as running a red light? Radar triggers the camera system each time a vehicle enters a monitored intersection after a traffic light turns red. Cameras then snap two pictures: One shows that the front of the vehicle in question has not yet entered the intersection upon the light turning red, and the other shows the vehicle continuing through the intersection.
Motorists who have already crossed into an intersection when a light turns red will not receive a citation city officials say. The cameras, which produce photographs that Dallas police officers review before issuing tickets, will generate warnings for the next 30 days".
This is a long answer, but it was taken directly from the paper.

Other pages

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Garmin 660

Very interesting, thanks for

Very interesting, thanks for the info.

Thank you!!

Thank you

So does that mean you only

So does that mean you only get a warning and no ticket?

It sounds like if you go

It sounds like if you go past the light when it is yellow, but it turns red while you are in the middle of the intersection, then you are not running a red. Is this what you guys also get from it?

Camera

It triggers when you are going too fast to stop slightly before the light turns red. It then snaps a picture of you when the light turns red and you are just getting ready to cross the intersection and again when you are in the intersection. It only cost me $50 to find that out. Here in Raleigh it does not go on your license or insurance. Just a $50 donation to the schools. If you appeal it will cost you more!

fubar, reading on the City

fubar, reading on the City of Dallas web site about ticketing, even if the light turns red and your 3/4 of the way through, you won't get a ticket. You will only get one if you enter the intersection on a red light. Now that's what they say. They also say they "review" each one before sending out tickets. (?????) that's a lot of reviewing in my mind. I'm not going to try and prove or disprove it either way smile

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Garmin 660

red light cameras

Think I accidentally found a way to beat that, in DC last summer . . . didn't realize it was a red light camera but wouldn't have made any difference - was in a downtown intersection turning left, when the huge truck immediately ahead of me stopped dead, maybe waiting on traffic ahead of him, I really don't know. My only option was to squeeze up close to him and get through as he finally moved, which was by then during a very mature red light. The only good news in this situation is that upon my protest at the SECOND fine they assessed me, they did accept a photocopy of my canceled check to prove I had paid it the first time, so they forgave me on their mistake then. Still cost me ~ $80, as I recall.

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Garmin Streetfinder C530

City of Dallas Website--Redlight Info

http://dallascityhall.com/pubsafe/safelight_fact.html

after reading Robert660's post, I went searching for Dallas' policy. The above link for those that want the full scoop.

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Garmin Ique M5 Kenwood DNX-5120 (Garmin)

Red Light Camera Violations

It works exactly the same way in NYC. Immediately after the traffic light changes from yellow to red and your vehicle enters the intersection at that split moment, two pictures, one second apart, are taken. One picture will be a close up of your rear license plate (believe me, your plate numbers are extremely readable and clear) and the other of your entire vehicle in the intersection. It's really hard to dispute the ticket when your vehicle is the only one in the intersection. A few weeks later, the photos of the red light camera violation is mailed to you along with a summons of $50.00. I installed the NYC RLC POI's with an approach warning sound distance of 200 yards. This assures me of being notified the approaching of an RLC. It actually works and I am quite pleased with it but that does not mean that it replaces common sense and know that once we see that traffic light begin to change from green to yellow, that we should put the medal to the peddle and attempt to beat the light before it changes to red. smile

DC

DC is the same way - 2 photos are taken and they are reviewed before issuance.

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RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot

The photos are very high res

The photos are very high res and can assist id'ing drives for those with kids

thanks for clearing that up

thanks for clearing that up robert and shadow!

not the same in CA. They

not the same in CA.

They issued the ticket anyway. I have a friend (Female), someone (Male) drove her car and got flashed. The ticket ID SHE was the DRIVER.

They even force you to ID the driver. If you don't (legally, you don't have to), they will put a hold on your registration.

I think the court just wants

I think the court just wants to have someone to ticket. If the owner won't tell them who drove the car then they will ticket the owner.