Virginia Red Light Camera
You could be charged a maximum fine of $50 if a Virginia red light camera captures footage of your vehicle running a red light.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The maximum fine for a red light camera ticket in
Virginia
is $50. This fee is low compared to other traffic fines, but don’t let that stop you from contesting the ticket if you feel it was issued unfairly. If you are on the receiving end of a red light camera ticket and believe it’s a mistake, you need to know how to contest the citation. Luckily,
Jerry
has compiled a guide about everything you need to know about red light cameras in the Old Dominion.
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Are red light cameras legal in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia law allows the use of automated cameras at intersections to catch red-light violators. Unlike traffic tickets issued by a police officer in Virginia, red light camera tickets in the commonwealth do not add points to your licenses and are treated only as a civil violation.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IHSS), 11 communities in Virginia currently use red light cameras:
- Albemarle County
- Arlington County
Key Takeaway Remember to 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 maximum penalty for a red light camera ticket in Virginia is $50.
You have two options if you get a red light camera ticket in Virginia: you can pay the fine or you can contest the citation. There are pros and cons to both choices, so we’ll go over each one.
How to pay a red light camera ticket
If you’d rather not put in the time to fight 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 even if you pay the fine, red light camera tickets in Virginia do not add points to your driver’s record and therefore won’t cause your car insurance to go up. That’s because they are considered a civil violation rather than a moving or traffic violation.
How to fight a red light camera ticket
Before you pull 50 bucks from your bank account, consider whether or not you can successfully contest the citation. Here are some common ways to get out of a red light camera ticket:
- You weren’t the driver: Red light camera tickets are sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. If you weren’t the driver at the time of the citation you can file an affidavit with the General District Court explaining this or appear in court and testify under oath.
- Request proof of the camera’s functioning: If you can prove that the camera malfunctioned, you could get the ticket dismissed.
- Signs must be posted: Virginia law requires that clear and visible signs indicating the presence of red light cameras must be posted within 500 feet of an intersection.
- 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 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.
If you can afford to hire an attorney, it could increase the chances of your ticket being dismissed, but consider whether the cost of the fine warrants paying for legal services.
Key Takeaway Gather your evidence carefully and assemble witnesses if possible before trying to fight a red light camera ticket.
How does a red light camera work?
The sensors in traffic lights are used by red light cameras to capture photo and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection once the light has turned red. If you run a red light 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:
- Date and time of the incident
- Vehicle speed
- Location
- Amount of time since the light turned red
Nearly all red light cameras are owned by third-party companies, who then send the footage and data from the camera to the respective law enforcement agency. Red light camera tickets are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The notice that comes in the mail must include the date, time, and location of the violation and copies of the photographs.
A 2019 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that red light cameras reduced fatal crashes at intersections in major cities by 14%. Due to this success rate, many states allow cities to utilize red light cameras for traffic enforcement.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How do I know if a red light camera ticket is real?
Watch out for tickets sent by email or phone—Virginia only issues tickets through the mail. If you receive a ticket with any missing or suspicious information, call the court to confirm whether or not the ticket is legitimate.
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