ByHow Much Is a Traffic Light Ticket?
Red light infractions cause 22 percent of traffic accidents in the US each year. Many street intersections in most American cities have been outfitted with red-light cameras to help deter drivers from running red lights. Often, knowing may cause people to be more wary about making traffic light violations.
If you have been issued a traffic light ticket, you can contest it to have the charges dropped. DoNotPay can help you make the best case possible for voiding or otherwise not paying the ticket.
How Do Traffic Lights Cameras Work?
Red light cameras are connected to traffic signals and sensors designed to sense a vehicle approaching a crosswalk or stop line. The red light technology is monitored and run by a computerized system. The camera takes pictures of vehicles that don't stop during the red traffic signal.
The average is $158. If you fail to pay for the offense after your first notification, you may pay as much as $262.
How Will I Tell if a Red Light Camera Has Caught Me?
It is quite challenging to determine whether a red light camera has taken your picture. If a red light camera flashes when you cross, it has been activated. If you cross an intersection with a red light and you see a flash behind you, odds are you have been captured. However, not all cameras flash when a violation is committed.
Are All Red Light Flashes a Violation?
Not every flash ends up being a violation. There are times the camera will go off even if you didn't drive through the red light. This mostly happens when you make a hard break just before a red light. This activates the cameras without driving through as the car's front wheels might have gone beyond the trigger point. Whenever this happens, you may not always receive a Notice of Violation.
Must I Pay for Red Light Camera Tickets?
Yes, it is vital that you pay for red light camera tickets. Ignoring the ticket could result in far worse consequences such as:
- License suspension
- Higher insurance rates
- Costly surcharges
However, if you feel that the ticket was issued in error, you can choose to dispute it.
Why Should I Fight a Traffic Light Ticket?
Ideally, computers and technology are not perfect. It is crucial that trained personnel review red light camera pictures before tickets are issued to offenders. However, sometimes this doesn't happen, meaning you may end up with a ticket issued out of an error. Failure to fight a ticket means you are pleading guilty to the alleged offense. This ultimately results in a conviction.
It is important to dispute a traffic light ticket if you know that you don’t have a violation, so you can avoid the consequences that come with it.
| Consequences of a Traffic Light Ticket | ||
| Fine | From $50 - $500 | The exact cost of the ticket depends on factors such as:
|
| Penalty Points | 1 |
|
| Attendance to Traffic School | Cost varies |
|
| Increase in Car Insurance Rates | Cost varies
(but can be as much as 22%) |
|
Do not ignore traffic light tickets, as not paying the fines can cause your driver’s license to be suspended by the DMV. Without knowing it, you can be driving using a suspended license and be potentially charged with serious misdemeanors. So either pay them or dispute them as soon as you can.
Steps to Getting a Red Light Ticket Dismissed on Your Own
The following are the steps you should take to have the traffic light ticket dismissed:
- Review the citation: Check the date and time indicated on the ticket and review your schedule to ensure you were driving. If you were not the one driving, don't pay the ticket. Submit an affidavit that indicates the name and contact information of the driver.
- Ask to review the evidence of citation: Review all photos and videos captured by the camera. If there isn't a clear photo of the driver, the state cannot prove its case.
- Check whether the time interval of yellow light is accurate: Go back to the intersection where you received the citation and check whether there are signs indicating there are red-light cameras. Time the interval of the yellow light to see if it lasts at least 3 seconds. If the yellow light doesn't last that long, argue for your case to be dismissed.
- Enter a not guilty plea: Enter a not guilty plea online or appear at an arraignment.
- Appeal the charges: If the judge still determines you are guilty, appeal that decision.
How to Fight Traffic Tickets With the Help of DoNotPay
DoNotPay has helped more than 200,000 people fight traffic tickets successfully. Why not challenge your traffic tickets with DoNotPay and win?
Here's how to get started:
- Log in to DoNotPay and go to the Ticket Disputes category. Select the correct product based on your traffic ticket.
- Upload a photo of your citation.
- Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake.
- Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf!
- That’s it! You’ll receive an appeal letter that contains state vehicle codes to boost your case.
DoNotPay also provides you with other relevant information on traffic tickets, such as:
- Dispute NYC traffic tickets
- Challenge traffic tickets in Las Vegas
- Dispute traffic tickets in California
- Fight Los Angeles traffic tickets
- Find out what happens when you plead guilty to a traffic ticket
- Learn how to fight a traffic ticket without a lawyer
If you feel your violation was unmerited, you can take steps to contest it in court. DoNotPay can help you make the best case possible for voiding or otherwise not paying the ticket. Join us today to learn more.