that red light cameras are legal and may be used in the interest of public safety. Despite the ruling, not all counties and cities in Florida—like the city of Miami, for example—utilize red light cameras to issue citations, but many still do.
The police departments in the following cities use red light cameras to ticket motorists:
Always check with your city government to see if red light cameras are in operation in your hometown.
What should I do if I receive a red light camera ticket?
The minimum penalty for running a red light in Florida is $158. If you don’t pay within 30 days after the first mailed notification, your fine will increase all the way to $277. However, you may be able to reduce your fine by taking a basic driver improvement (BDI) course.
You have two choices if you receive a red light camera notice of violation in Florida: you can pay the fine, or you can contest the ticket. Both approaches have advantages and drawbacks, so we’ll go over each one.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of fighting the ticket, you can pay the fine online, by mail, or in person at the address listed on the ticket. The good news is that if you pay on time and this is your first red light camera ticket, the violation will not go on your driver’s record.
However, if you miss this deadline, not only will your fine increase, but you will also incur additional costs and three points on your driving record. Continuing to ignore the citation can result in the suspension of your license, even higher fines, plus the fee of
Before you pull out your checkbook or retrieve your credit card to pay the fine, consider whether or not you can successfully contest the ticket. The facts may be on your side! Below are five common ways to fight a red light camera ticket:
Request proof that the camera was functioning properly: If you can prove that the camera malfunctioned, you could get the ticket dismissed.
Prove that you were not the driver: If someone other than you was operating the vehicle when the violation occurred, you are not liable for the ticket—but you’ll need to fill out an affidavit to get it dismissed.
Explain you were instructed to run the red light: Perhaps you were part of a funeral procession or a law enforcement officer directed you to pass through the light. If you can prove that this was the case, your ticket may be dismissed.
Argue that you ran the red light in order to avoid greater harm: Sometimes it’s necessary to run a red light to prevent an accident or to make way for an emergency vehicle.
You were making a right turn: Red light camera tickets generally can't be issued in the state of Florida if you turn
To make any of these arguments, you’ll need to request a hearing with a local hearing officer to make your case.
If you can afford to hire a traffic ticket attorney, it could increase the chances of your ticket being dismissed, but always factor in the price of legal assistance and court costs versus the amount of the fine.
Gather your evidence carefully and assemble witnesses, if possible, before trying to fight a red light camera ticket.
Red light cameras use the sensors in traffic signals to capture photo and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection once the light has turned red. If you go run a red light in at an intersection with a red light camera, the system will photograph your vehicle and record your license plate number along with the following information:
Nearly all red light cameras are owned by third-party companies who send the footage and data from the camera to the respective law enforcement agency. Police officers then review the footage to determine if any infractions have occurred.
Red light camera tickets are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The red light camera violation that comes in the mail must include the date, time, and location of the violation and copies of the photographs.
found that red light cameras reduced fatal crashes at intersections in major cities by 14%. Due to this success rate and improved traffic safety, many states allow cities to utilize red light cameras for traffic enforcement.
and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.
FAQS
How do I know if I ran a red light in Florida?
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Quite a few Florida cities use American Traffic Solutions to process red light camera tickets. Call 1-866-225-9975 to ask whether or not your car was seen violating Florida traffic laws.
How long does it take to get a ticket from a red light camera in Florida?
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You’ll receive a violation notice by mail within 30 days. You’ll have 60 days from the initial mailing to pay the ticket. If the due date passes, a uniform traffic citation will be mailed to you.