View source for Red light camera

{{short description|Type of traffic enforcement camera}}
[[File:redlightcamera.jpg|right|thumb|A red-light camera in use in [[Beaverton, Oregon]]]]
A '''red light camera''' (short for [[red light running]] camera<ref name=RLRC>{{cite web |url=https://www.fdot.gov/traffic/TrafficServices/RLRC.shtm |title=Traffic Infraction Detectors (RLRC) |work=Florida Department of Transportation |access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref>) is a type of [[traffic enforcement camera]] that photographs a vehicle that has entered an intersection after the [[traffic signal]] controlling the intersection has turned red.<ref name=IIHS>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html |title=Q&As: Red light cameras |date=December 2010 |work=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |access-date=16 December 2010 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606074542/http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html }}</ref> By automatically photographing vehicles that run red lights, the photo is evidence that assists authorities in their enforcement of traffic laws.<ref name=Retting2>{{cite journal |last1=Retting |first1=Richard A. |last2=Ferguson |first2=Susan A. |last3=Hakkert |first3=A. Shalom |year=2003 |title=Effects of Red Light Cameras on Violations and Crashes: A Review of the International Literature |journal=Traffic Injury Prevention |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=17–23 |doi=10.1080/15389580309858|pmid=14522657 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=Lum>{{cite journal |author=K M Lum |author2=Y D Wong |date=March 2003 |title=A before-and-after study on red light camera installation |journal=ITE Journal |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=28–32 |publisher=Institute of Transportation Engineers |issn=0162-8178}}</ref> Generally the camera is triggered when a vehicle enters the intersection (passes the stop-bar) after the traffic signal has turned red.

Typically, a law enforcement official will review the photographic evidence and determine whether a violation occurred. A citation is then usually mailed to the owner of the vehicle found to be in violation of the law.<ref name=Priority>{{cite web |url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/safety/safe_mrt_redlight.cfm |title=Priority, Market-Ready Technologies and Innovations, Red Light Cameras |publisher=FHWA.gov |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420144853/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/safety/safe_mrt_redlight.cfm |archive-date=2011-04-20 }}</ref> These cameras are used worldwide, in China, in European countries, and in countries including: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United States.<ref name=Small>{{cite news |title=Halton adds voice to call for red-light camera traps |author=Jason Small |newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator |location=Ontario, Canada |date=18 August 1998 |page=N3}}</ref><ref name=NCHRP/> More than 75 countries worldwide use red light cameras.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drivers.com/article/562/ |title=Red light cameras: a Drivers.com overview of the issue |publisher=Drivers.com |access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref>

If a proper identification of the driver cannot be made, instead of a ticket, some jurisdictions send out a [[notice of violation]] to the owner of the vehicle, requesting identifying information so that a ticket may be issued later. Other jurisdictions simply assess a fine to the owner of the vehicle and make no attempt to determine personal responsibility for the offence beyond that; in such locales owners are responsible for collecting the fine from the offending driver (assuming it is not themselves); however, such jurisdictions generally do not assign [[demerit point]]s or other personal consequences for traffic offences caught on camera.

According to the [[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]], red-light running is a frequent cause of crashes, with 6,000 people killed between 1992 and 1998, 850 each year in the United States alone, while 1.4 million were injured. In Australia, 15% to 21% of the crashes at signalized intersections were related to red light running during 1994–1998.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1080/15389580309858|pmid = 14522657|title = Effects of Red Light Cameras on Violations and Crashes: A Review of the International Literature|journal = Traffic Injury Prevention|volume = 4|pages = 17–23|year = 2003|last1 = Retting|first1 = Richard A.|last2 = Ferguson|first2 = Susan A.|last3 = Hakkert|first3 = A. Shalom| issue=1 |doi-access = free}}</ref>

There is debate and ongoing research about the use of red light cameras. Authorities cite public safety as the primary reason that the cameras are installed,<ref name=SanDiego/><ref name=Scotsman>{{cite news |title=Crossings Pose the Biggest Rail Threat |author=Alastair Dalton |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Scotland |date=8 November 2004 |page=4}}</ref><ref name=Burger>{{cite news |url=https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article34488867.html |title=5-year crusade concludes with red light law |author=Beth Burger |date=1 July 2010 |work=Bradenton Herald |access-date=25 March 2019 }}</ref> while opponents contend their use is more for financial gain.<ref name=Naples>{{cite web |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/may/13/crist-signs-fla-bill-legalizing-red-light-cameras/ |title=Crist signs Fla. bill legalizing red light cameras |date=13 May 2010 |publisher=NaplesNews.com |access-date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=Motorists>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/objections |title=NMA Objections To Red Light Cameras |publisher=National Motorists Association |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526113001/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/objections |archive-date=26 May 2011 }}</ref>
There have been concerns that red light cameras scare drivers (who want to avoid a ticket) into more sudden stops,<ref name="Fatemeh Baratian-Ghorghi 2015">{{cite journal |url=http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=1337520 |title=Impacts of Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras on Clearance Lost Time at Signalized Intersections |author=Fatemeh Baratian-Ghorghi|author2= Huaguo Zhou |author3= Isaac Wasilefsky |year=2015 |journal=Transportation Research Board |access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=Baratian>{{cite journal |last1=Baratian-Ghorghi |first1=Fatemeh |last2=Zhou |first2=Huaguo |last3=Wasilefsky |first3=Isaac |year=2015 |title=Effect of Red-Light Cameras on Capacity of Signalized Intersections |journal=Journal of Transportation Engineering |volume=142 |page=04015035 |doi=10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000804}}</ref> which may increase the risk of rear-end collisions. The elevated incentive to stop may mitigate [[side collision]]s. Some traffic signals have an all red duration, allowing a grace period of a few seconds before the cross-direction turns green. Some studies have confirmed more rear-end collisions where red light cameras have been used, while side collisions decreased, but the overall collision rate has been mixed. A [[systematic review]] summarized evidence from 38 studies and found that overall, red-light cameras are effective at reducing right angle crashes and related injuries, as well as total injuries, but they also lead to an increase in rear end crashes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cohn|first1=Ellen G.|last2=Kakar|first2=Suman|last3=Perkins|first3=Chloe|last4=Steinbach|first4=Rebecca|last5=Edwards|first5=Phil|date=2020|title=Red light camera interventions for reducing traffic violations and traffic crashes: A systematic review|journal=Campbell Systematic Reviews|language=en|volume=16|issue=2|article-number=e1091 |doi=10.1002/cl2.1091|pmid=37131412 |pmc=8356316 |s2cid=225811348 |issn=|doi-access=free}}</ref> In some areas, the length of the yellow phase has been increased to provide a longer warning to accompany the red-light-running-camera. There is also concern that the international standard formula used for setting the length of the yellow phase ignores the laws of physics, which may cause drivers to inadvertently run the red phase.<ref name=TTI>{{cite web|quote="An additional issue is that many red light cameras use compressed video, making it impossible for the ticket holder to prove they were within the "dilemma zone". A dilemma zone is the area where a driver finds it is impossible to either stop in time or proceed through the intersection before the light turns red."|url=http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/ecd7d66f#/ecd7d66f/1 |title=Does the Multibillion-Dollar Red Light Camera Sector Owe Its Existence - and Profits - to Traffic Engineers' Misapplication of the Yellow Change Interval Formula? |last1=Ceccarelli |first1=Brian |last2=Shovlin |first2=Joseph |publisher=Traffic Technology International, October/November 2013 pp. 56-62}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Red Light Camera on NY 25A, Flower Hill, NY July 30, 2023.jpg|thumb|An Axsis RLC-300 red-light camera in [[Flower Hill, New York]]]]
Red light cameras were first developed in the Netherlands by Gatso.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.gatsometer.com/web_en/history |title=History |publisher=Gatso.com |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519171308/http://www.gatsometer.com/web_en/history |archive-date=2011-05-19 }}</ref> Worldwide, red light cameras have been in use since the 1960s, and were used for traffic enforcement in Israel as early as 1969.<ref name=Retting2/> The first red light camera system was introduced in 1965, using tubes stretched across the road to detect the violation and subsequently trigger the camera. One of the first developers of these red light camera systems was [[Gatso|Gatsometer BV]].<ref name=History/>

The cameras first received serious attention in the United States in the 1980s following a highly publicized crash in 1982, involving a red-light runner who collided with an 18-month-old girl in a [[baby transport|stroller]] (or "push-chair") in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1982-03-22 |title=THE CITY; Stroller With Child Dragged by Auto |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/22/nyregion/the-city-stroller-with-child-dragged-by-auto.html |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Subsequently, a community group worked with the city's Department of Transportation to research automated law-enforcement systems to identify and ticket drivers who run red lights. New York's red-light camera program went into effect in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Light District |first=Heath |last=Row |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rQcAAAAAMBAJ&q=New+York+city%2C+automated+enforcement+program%2C+Popolizio&pg=PA116 |magazine=CIO Magazine |date=July 1996 |page=116 |access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref> In a near future the might be able to also catch other infractions such as phone usage, failure to wear the [[seat belt]] wearing, or failure to maintain [[Assured clear distance ahead|safe distance between vehicle]]. From the 1980s onward, red light camera usage expanded worldwide, and one of the early camera system developers, [[Poltech International]], supplied Australia, Britain, South Africa, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Hong Kong.<ref name=Clack/> American Traffic Systems (subsequently [[American Traffic Solutions]]) (ATS) and Redflex Traffic Systems emerged as the primary suppliers of red light camera systems in the US,<ref name=Larson>{{cite news |title=Non-Stop Growth |author=Jane Larson |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=18 January 2008 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0118biz-sr-ats0119-ON.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117202111/http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0118biz-sr-ats0119-ON.html |archive-date=17 January 2013 }}</ref> while [[Jenoptik]] became the leading provider of red light cameras worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jenoptik.com/cms/jenoptik.nsf/res/Traffic%20Solutions%20Broschure_GB.pdf/$file/Traffic%20Solutions%20Broschure_GB.pdf |title=Traffic Solutions Brochure |publisher=Jenoptik.com |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223171243/https://www.jenoptik.com/cms/jenoptik.nsf/res/Traffic%20Solutions%20Broschure_GB.pdf/$file/Traffic%20Solutions%20Broschure_GB.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Initially, all red light camera systems used film, which was delivered to local law enforcement departments for review and approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |title=Focus On Safety |year=2007 |work=Stop Red Light Running |page=51 and 53 |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906104731/http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-06 }}</ref><ref name=Michael>{{cite news |title=Red light cameras click into action; The 12 new digital devices are part of a police crackdown on dangerous driving |author=Peter Michael |author2=Felix Lo |newspaper=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |date=19 May 2004 |page=3}}</ref> The first digital camera system was introduced in [[Canberra]] in December 2000,<ref name=Clack>{{cite news |title=World-First Digital Camera to Nab Red Light Runners |author=Peter Clack |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra, Australia |date=26 November 2000 |page=7}}</ref> and digital cameras have increasingly replaced the older film cameras in other locations since then.<ref name=Michael/>

==Operation==
Red light cameras are typically installed in protective metal boxes attached to poles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publications/workshops/2006/camera.pdf |title=An Analysis of a Red-Light Camera Program in the City of Milwaukee |last1=Kriz |first1=Karyn |last2=Moran |first2=Christian |last3=Regan |first3=Molly |date=Spring 2006 |work=Lafollette.Wisc.edu |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison |page=5 |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927180117/http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publications/workshops/2006/camera.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}</ref> at intersections,<ref name=SanDiego>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiego.gov/engineering-cip/services/public/rlphoto/faq.shtml |title=Red Light Photo Safety Program: Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=SanDiego.gov |access-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106124229/http://www.sandiego.gov/engineering-cip/services/public/rlphoto/faq.shtml |archive-date=6 November 2010 }}</ref> which are often specifically chosen due to high numbers of crashes and/or red-light-running violations.<ref name=Michael/> In some case, cameras are built into [[traffic light]]s. Red light camera systems typically employ a sensor that detects the presence of a vehicle past the stop bar, and, in some cases, measures the speed of a vehicle at the time it ran the red light. The sensors may be single or dual inductive loops, piezoelectric strips, laser, radar or optical video analyses. Using the speed measured, the system predicts if a particular vehicle will not be able to stop before entering the intersection. In some instances the system takes two or more photographs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highwayrobbery.net/redlightcamslinksref.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions, No. 27 |publisher=highwayrobbery.net |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> The first photo shows the vehicle just before it enters the intersection, with the light showing red, and the second photo, taken a second or two later, shows the vehicle when it is in the intersection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atsol.com/faq.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions |work=American Traffic Solutions, Inc. |access-date=18 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126211608/http://www.atsol.com/faq.html |archive-date=2011-11-26 }}</ref>

Details that may be recorded by the camera system (and later presented to the vehicle owner) include: the date and time, the location, the vehicle speed, the amount of time elapsed since the light turned red, and the amount of time elapsed since the light turned yellow and the vehicle passed into the intersection. The event is captured as a series of photographs or a video clip, or both, depending on the technology used, which shows the vehicle before it enters the intersection on a red light signal and its progress through the intersection.<ref name=SanDiego/> The data and images, whether digital or developed from film, are sent to the relevant law enforcement agency. There, the information is typically reviewed by a law enforcement official or police department clerk,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highwayrobbery.net/redlightcamslinksref.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions, No. 36 |publisher=highwayrobbery.net |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> who determines if a violation occurred and, if so, approves issuing a citation to the vehicle owner,<ref name=SanDiego/> who may challenge the citation.<ref name=Priority/>

Studies have shown that 38% of violations occur within 0.25 seconds of the light turning red and 79% within one second. A few red light camera systems allow a grace period of up to half a second for drivers who pass through the intersection just as the light turns red.<ref name=IIHS /> Ohio and Georgia introduced a statute requiring that one second be added to the standard yellow time of any intersection that has a red light camera, which has led to an 80% reduction in tickets since its introduction. New Jersey has the strictest yellow timing provisions in the country as a result of concerns that cameras would be used to generate revenue; they have a statute specifying that the yellow time for an intersection that has a red light camera must be based on the speed at which 85% of the road's traffic moves rather than be based on the road's actual speed limit.

==Usage==
Red light camera usage is widespread in a number of countries worldwide.<ref name=Small/><ref name=Toronto>{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/redlight_cameras/faq.htm |title=Red Light Cameras FAQ |publisher=Toronto.ca |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref> Netherlands-based Gatso presented red light cameras to the market in 1965,<ref name=History/> and red light cameras were used for traffic enforcement in Israel as early as 1969.<ref name=Retting2/> In the early 1970s, red light cameras were used for traffic enforcement in at least one jurisdiction in Europe.<ref name=Retting2/> Australia began to use them on a wide scale in the 1980s.<ref name=NCHRP>{{cite web |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_syn_310.pdf |title=Impact of Red Light Camera Enforcement on Crash Experience |author=National Cooperative Highway Research Program |year=2003 |work=Transportation Research Board |access-date=17 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How low can we go? |author=Clay Lucas |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=10 July 2009 |page=9}}</ref> {{As of|2010|7|21|df=US}}, expansion of red light camera usage in Australia is ongoing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dozens of new speed and red light cameras to go live in Victoria |author=Matt Johnston |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/dozens-of-new-speed-and-red-light-cameras-to-go-live-in-victoria/story-e6frfkvr-1225894817466 |newspaper=Herald Sun |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=17 December 2010}}</ref> In some areas of Australia, where the red light cameras are used, there is an online system to check the photograph taken of your vehicle if you receive a ticket.<ref name=SydTelegraph>{{cite news |title=See your red light, speed camera photo |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/see-your-red-light-speed-camera-photo/story-e6freuy9-1111117373605 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=Sydney, Australia |date=2 September 2008 |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref> Singapore also began use of red light cameras in the 1980s,<ref name=NCHRP/> and installed the first camera systems during five years, starting in August 1986.<ref name=Lum/> In Canada, by 1998, red light cameras were in use in British Columbia and due to be implemented in Manitoba.<ref name=Small /> In Alberta, red light cameras were installed in 1999 in Edmonton<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/TrafficVehicles/IntersectionSafetyCameras.aspx |title=Intersection Safety Cameras |work=Edmonton Police Service |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313224415/http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/TrafficVehicles/IntersectionSafetyCameras.aspx |archive-date=2011-03-13 }}</ref> and in 2001 in Calgary.<ref name=Bochner>{{cite journal |last1= Bochner |first1=B. |last2=Walden |first2=T |year=2010 |title=Effectiveness of Red Light Cameras |journal=ITE Journal |issue=May |page=23 |url= http://www.ite.org/itejournal/ |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> The UK first installed cameras in the 1990s,<ref name=NCHRP/> with the earliest locations including eight rail crossings in Scotland where there was greatest demand for enforcement of traffic signals due to fatalities.<ref name=Scotsman/>

===China===
====Mainland China====
[[File:Pictures taken by red light camera.jpg|thumb|A set of pictures taken by a red light camera in [[Luannan County]], [[China]], the black car in the pictures ran the red light]]
Red light camera usage is extensive in mainland China. {{as of |2007}}, approximately 700 intersections in [[Shenzhen]] were monitored for red light violations, speeding, or both.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=He|first1=Jie|last2=King|first2=Mark|last3=Watson|first3=Barry|last4=Rakotonirainy|first4=Andry|last5=Fleiter|first5=Judy|date=January 2013|title=Speed enforcement in China: National, provincial and city initiatives and their success|journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention|language=en|volume=50|pages=282–8|doi=10.1016/j.aap.2012.04.017|pmid=22579218}}</ref>

China also has red light camera with facial recognition. Red light offenders, either pedestrian or motorbikers, are captured by a 7 megapixel camera. Within 20 minutes, a [[facial recognition system]] identifies personal information including family name, ID number and address which are displayed in the street on an advertising screen. This information can also be published on social media.<ref name="outride1">{{cite web | title=China Is Using Facial Recognition To Catch Jaywalkers | website=Outriders | date=2018-10-25 | url=https://outride.rs/en/china-is-using-facial-recognition-to-catch-jaywalkers/}}</ref>

According to the owner, in less than four months, in [[Lianhua intersection in Shenzhen]], [[jaywalking]] were reduced from 1000 each day to 80.<ref name="outride1"/>

====Hong Kong====

Hong Kong introduced red light cameras in 1993.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1925831/traffic-deaths-rise-hong-kong-gets-40-new-red-light-cameras |title = With traffic deaths on the rise, Hong Kong gets 40 new red light cameras|date = 2016-03-16}}</ref>

In Hong Kong, where red light cameras are installed, signs are erected to warn drivers that cameras are present, with the aim of educating drivers to stop for signals.<ref name=Delfino>{{cite news |title=Warning for red light jumpers |author=Brendan Delfino |newspaper=The South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |date=27 September 1996 |page=8}}</ref> The number of red light cameras in Hong Kong doubled in May 2004, and digital red light cameras were introduced at intersections identified by the police and transport department as having the most violations and greatest risk. The digital cameras were introduced to further deter red-light running. As added assistance to drivers, some of the camera posts were painted orange so that drivers could see them more easily.<ref name=Michael/> By 2006, Hong Kong had 96 red light cameras in operation.<ref name=HongKong>{{cite news |title=Red light jumping accidents fall in Hong Kong |newspaper=Xinhua General News Service |date=23 December 2006}}</ref> By 2016 this number had risen to 195.<ref>{{cite web|title=New red light cameras in operation today|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201603/16/P201603160311.htm|publisher=Hong Kong Government|date=16 March 2016}}</ref>

In Hong-Kong, penalty for the failure to comply with traffic signals is a HK$5,000 fine and three months' jail for a first offense. Penalty for other offenses are a HK$10,000 penalty and six-month term.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

In Hong-Kong, red light cameras helped reduce violation jumping by 43 to 55%.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

===France===
[[File:Feu rouge avec radar avenue du Général Leclerc à Gif-sur-Yvette le 1er avril 2013 - 1.jpg|thumb|Red light camera experiment in [[Gif-sur-Yvette]]]]
In France, red light cameras started use in 2009. Cameras catch drivers that fail to stop on a red light.<ref>{{cite web | title=Passage à l'orange et radar feu rouge: quel risque ? | website=Stages Points Permis | url=https://www.stagespointspermis.fr/636-l-points-de-permis-radar-feu-rouge-flash-orange.html | language=fr }}</ref> A removal of 4 points on the driving licence will occur.<ref name="fonctionnement1">{{cite web | title=Infographie – Fonctionnement du radar feu rouge et risque | website=Mutuelle Assurance MMA | url=https://www.mma.fr/zeroblabla/infographie-fonctionnement-radars-feu-rouge.html | language=fr}}</ref>

New multipurpose camera might, such as the Mesta Fusion 2 have several simultaneous capacity in a single device, such as red light camera, [[Level crossing]] red light camera and speed camera.<ref name="autoplus1">{{cite web | title=Radars multifonctions: ils débarquent en force sur les routes en 2019 | website=Autoplus.fr | date=2019-04-03 | url=https://www.autoplus.fr/actualite/Radars-tourelles-Exces-de-vitesse-Feu-rouge-grille-Gilets-Jaunes-Securite-routiere-1537315.html | language=fr}}</ref> In a near future the might be able to also catch other infractions such as phone usage, failure to wear the seat belt wearing, or failure to maintain [[Assured clear distance ahead|safe distance between vehicle]].<ref name="autoplus1"/>

Some insurance companies recommend to comply with regulation to avoid the fine. This implies a speed decrease when approaching a red light, considering it can switch to orange and then to red, avoiding acceleration when light is orange, using the brake (which turn on braking light) to communicate to followers the braking action, and keep the car before the red light stop line.<ref name="fonctionnement1"/>

In the south east quarter of France, red light cameras (MESTA 3000) are provided by [[Safran]]; their availability rate is 95%, taking into account road works and acts of vandalism. This availability is considered better than the one observed in Great Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany according to a French National Assembly report.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.itsinternational.com/categories/enforcement/features/enforcement-suppliers-highlight-industry-best-practice/ | title=Enforcement suppliers highlight industry best practice}}</ref>

===Germany===

The first red light camera in Germany was operated in November 1960 the 15th in [[Frankfurt am Main]] with black and white photos.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

Red light violations result in a fine of €90, and one penalty point is recorded on the driver's license . If the light has been red for more than one second when the violation occurs, the fine increases to €200, with two penalty points, and the offender's driving license is suspended for one month. In cases of immediate danger, the fine can rise to €320, or to €360 if a crash occurs. A stop line violation incurs a fine of only €10. 

If a driver in their probationary period runs a red light and is caught by a red-light camera, they are required to attend a compulsory retraining seminar (Aufbauseminar). Additionally, the probationary period is extended from two to four years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An der roten Ampel geblitzt: Konsequenzen bei Rotlichtverstoß |url=https://www.hopkins.law/expertise/rote-ampel-geblitzt#rote-ampel-blitzer-in-der-probezeit |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.hopkins.law |language=de}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
In the United Kingdom the authorities often refer to red-light cameras, along with speed cameras, as ''safety cameras''.<ref name=DfTCirc1>{{cite book|title=Use of Speed and Red-Light Cameras for Traffic Enforcement: Guidance on Deployment, Visibility and Signing|publisher=Department for Transport|isbn=978-0-11-552834-7|chapter-url=http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/pdfdftcirc0107.pdf|author=Department for Transport|edition=DfT Circular 01/2007|access-date=28 June 2011|page=2|chapter=Point 8|date=31 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614054212/http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/pdfdftcirc0107.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-14}}</ref> They were first used in the early 1990s,<ref name=NSCP4yeareval1>{{cite book|title=The national safety camera programme Four-year evaluation report|date=December 2005|publisher=PA Consulting Group and CTS at UCL (University College London)|url=http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|author1=Adrian Gains|author2=Michael Nordstrom|author3=Benjamin Heydecker|author4=John Shrewsbury.|access-date=28 June 2011|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617170413/http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-17}}</ref> with initial deployment by the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions. All costs were paid by the local authority in which the individual camera was placed, and revenues accrued from fines were paid to the Treasury Consolidated Fund.<ref name=NSCP4yeareval1/> In 1998 the government handed the powers of collection to local road-safety partnerships,<ref name=NSCP4yeareval2/> comprising "... local authorities, Magistrates' Courts, the Highways Agency and the police."<ref name=NSCP4yeareval2>{{cite book|title=The national safety camera programme Four-year evaluation report|date=December 2005|publisher=PA Consulting Group and CTS at UCL (University College London)|url=http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|author1=Adrian Gains|author2=Michael Nordstrom|author3=Benjamin Heydecker|author4=John Shrewsbury.|access-date=28 June 2011|page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617170413/http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-17}}</ref>

In a report, published in December 2005, there were a total of 612 red light cameras in England alone, of which 225 were in London.<ref name=NSCP4yeareval3>{{cite book|title=The national safety camera programme Four-year evaluation report|date=December 2005|publisher=PA Consulting Group and CTS at UCL (University College London)|url=http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|author1=Adrian Gains|author2=Michael Nordstrom|author3=Benjamin Heydecker|author4=John Shrewsbury.|access-date=28 June 2011|page=113|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617170413/http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/nscp/nscp/coll_thenationalsafetycameraprog/ationalsafetycameraprogr4598.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-17}}</ref>

In the UK, failure to stop for a red light gives a £100 fine and adds 3 points on the driving license. Some police forces might also register motorists caught running a red light to educational courses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/cameras/traffic-light-cameras/ |title=Traffic light cameras: what you need to know |website=rac.co.uk}}</ref>

===United States===

{{Disputed section|date=July 2022}}

{{Graph:Chart
|type=area
|width=240
|height=135
|xAxisTitle=Year
|x=2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016
|yAxisTitle=People killed
|y1=937,1009,939,957,946,813,900,914,772,686,681,719,696,704,711,786,811
|legend=People killed at red light
|y1Title=USA, Source IIHS
|colors=#806040c0
}}
Source: IIHS<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web | title=New guidelines for automated enforcement programs emphasize safety amid rise in red-light-running crash deaths | website=IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety | date=2018-07-24 | url=https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/new-guidelines-for-automated-enforcement-programs-emphasize-safety-amid-rise-in-red-light-running-crash-deaths}}</ref>

[[File:Red Light Camera.jpg|right|thumb|Red light camera in Chicago, Il.]]
Since the early 1990s, red light cameras have been used in the United States<ref name=NCHRP/> in 26 [[U.S. states]] and the [[District of Columbia]].<ref name=States>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/laws/auto_enforce_cities.aspx |title=Communities using red light and/or speed cameras |date=December 2010 |work=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |access-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> Within some states, the cameras may only be permitted in certain areas. For example, in [[New York State]], the Vehicle and Traffic Law permits red light cameras only within cities with a population above 1 million (i.e. New York City), Rochester, Buffalo, Yonkers, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.state.ny.us/Press/20090406/ |title=NYS Assembly press release: Assembly Authorizes Red Light Cameras in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Buffalo, Rochester and Yonkers|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref> In [[Florida]], a [[state law]] went into effect on 1&nbsp;July 2010, which allows all municipalities in the state to use red light cameras on all state-owned rights-of-way and fine drivers who run red lights,<ref name=Burger/> with the aim of enforcing safe driving, according to then-Governor [[Charlie Crist]].<ref name=Wandall>{{cite web |url=http://www.themarkwandallfoundation.org/MEMORANDUM.pdf |title=Memorandum:Governor Crist Signs Legislation Creating the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act |author=Sterling Ivey |date=13 May 2010 |work=The Mark Wandall Foundation |access-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116124622/http://www.themarkwandallfoundation.org/MEMORANDUM.pdf |archive-date=2010-11-16 }}</ref> The name given to the state law is the [[Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act]], named for a man who was killed in 2003 by a motorist who ran a red light.<ref name=Naples/> In addition to allowing the use of cameras, the law also standardizes driver fines.<ref name=Gainesville>{{cite news |title=Florida's deadly intersections took my husband |author=Melissa Wandall |url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090411/NEWS/904119974?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar |newspaper=The Gainesville Sun |date=11 April 2009 |access-date=7 January 2011}}</ref>
Major cities throughout the US that use red light cameras include [[Atlanta]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Baltimore]], [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], [[Chicago]], [[Dallas]], [[Denver]], [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[New Orleans]], [[New York City]], [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[San Francisco]], [[Seattle]], [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]], and [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name=States/> [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]] has cameras, but in October 2011 local voters approved a ballot measure advising the city council to cease authorizing the red light camera program. The City of Albuquerque ended its red light program on 31 December 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thenewspaper.com/news/36/3604.asp |title=Albuquerque Voters Reject Red Light Cameras |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=18 November 2011 |publisher=thenewspaper.com}}</ref>

In March 2017, the city of [[Chicago]] changed the period of time between when the light turns red and when the red-light camera is triggered (and a ticket issued) from 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds. The "grace period" in Chicago is now in line with other major American cities like [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Farivar |first=Cyrus |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/03/red-light-camera-grace-period-goes-from-0-1-to-0-3-seconds-chicago-to-lose-17m/ |title=Red-light camera grace period goes from 0.1 to 0.3 seconds, Chicago to lose $17M |work=Ars Technica |date=2017-03-22 |access-date=2017-03-23}}</ref>

Suppliers of red-light cameras in the US include: [[Affiliated Computer Services]] (ACS) State and Local Solutions, a Xerox company, of Dallas, Texas;<ref>{{cite news |title=Keeping an eye on red light runners |author=Carl Mario Nudi |url=http://www.bradenton.com/2009/07/23/1593682/keeping-an-eye-on-red-light-runners.html |newspaper=The Bradenton Herald |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=16 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205202043/http://www.bradenton.com/2009/07/23/1593682/keeping-an-eye-on-red-light-runners.html |archive-date=2010-12-05 }}</ref> American Traffic Solutions of Scottsdale, Arizona, 1/3 owned by Goldman Sachs;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highwayrobbery.net/redlightcamslinksref.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions, No. 34 |publisher=highwayrobbery.net |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=POS>{{cite press release |url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/10/01/479831.html |title=New York Voters Express Strong Support for Red Light Cameras |date=1 October 2009 |publisher=American Traffic Solutions |access-date=25 March 2019 }}</ref> Brekford International Corp., of [[Hanover, Maryland]];<ref>{{cite press release |title=Brekford Corp. Expands into Traffic Photo Enforcement Industry |publisher=Brekford International Corp. |date=1 April 2010 |url=http://www.brekford.com/press_release/Press%20Release%20-%2004-01-2010.pdf |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326021150/http://www.brekford.com/press_release/Press%20Release%20-%2004-01-2010.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}</ref> CMA Consulting Services, Inc. of Latham, New York;<ref>{{cite news |title=N.Y. red-light cameras may depend on lobbyist connections |author=Joseph Spector |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-16-red-lights_N.htm |newspaper=USA Today |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=19 January 2011}}</ref> Gatso USA of Beverly, Massachusetts;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gatso-usa.com/content/20080718_streamwood.pdf |title=Streamwood OKs red-light cameras for intersection |date=18 July 2008 |work=Gatso-USA.com |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326021150/http://www.gatso-usa.com/content/20080718_streamwood.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}</ref> iTraffic Safety LLC of Ridgeland, South Carolina;<ref>{{cite news |title=Ridgeland Mayor Gary W. Hodges: Photo-cop is new safety tool, not money machine |author=Paul Tharp |newspaper=South Carolina Lawyers Weekly |date=6 September 2010}}</ref> NovoaGlobal Inc., of Orlando, Florida; Optotraffic, of Lanham, Maryland;<ref>{{cite news |title=Ticketing accelerates in College Park |author=David Hill |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=9 December 2010 |page=T18 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120706806.html}}</ref> Redflex Traffic Systems of Phoenix, Arizona, with its parent company in Australia;<ref name=Broden>{{cite news |title=Bids on red-light cameras rejected |author=Scott Broden |newspaper=The Daily News Journal |location=Murfreesboro, TN |date=15 January 2011}}</ref> RedSpeed-Illinois LLC, of Lombard, Illinois, whose parent company is in Worcestershire, England;<ref name=Ruzich>{{cite news |title=Camera firm with past ties to lawyer wins pact |author=Joseph Ruzich |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=24 September 2009 |page=23 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-09-24-0909230787-story.html}}</ref> and SafeSpeed LLC, of Chicago, Illinois.<ref name=Ruzich/>

Some states have chosen to prohibit the use of red light cameras. These include Arkansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas (phasing out fully by 2021), and West Virginia.<ref name=Enforcement>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx |title=Automated enforcement laws |date=March 2011 |work=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829204426/http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Mississippi makes red light cameras illegal |url= https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/03/mississippi-bans-red-light-cameras-chicago-pay-attention.ars |date= 24 March 2009 |access-date= 2009-04-28 |first=Joel |last=Hruska}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= An Informal Presentation to the House Transportation Committee on Red Light Cameras, November 30, 2011 |url= http://www.house.mi.gov/SessionDocs/2011-2012/Testimony/Committee23-11-30-2011-1.pdf |date= 30 November 2011 |access-date= 2013-06-17}}</ref>

In February 2012, the red light camera ordinance in the city of [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] was officially declared void by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Mark Neill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/02/st_louis_red_light_ordinance_void.php|title=St. Louis' Red-Light Camera Ordinance Officially Declared Void|work=Riverfront Times|access-date=2012-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415171836/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/02/st_louis_red_light_ordinance_void.php|archive-date=2012-04-15}}</ref> On 9 August 2012, the [[Cary, North Carolina]] town council voted to end their program.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/08/10/article/cary_axes_red_light_cameras|title=Cary axes red-light cameras|work=[[News & Observer]]|date=10 August 2012|access-date=2012-08-11}}</ref> In February 2013, the San Diego mayor helped remove a red light camera to keep the campaign promise he made during the November 2012 election to eliminate these systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/01/san-diego-red-light-cameras-filner-halts/|title=San Diego drops red-light cameras|date=1 February 2013|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref> New Jersey had to renew the Red Light law by the state legislature in early 2015 and did not do this, making the use of red light cameras illegal in the state afterwards.

In the United States, fines are not standardized and vary to a great degree, from $50 in New York City<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.council.nyc.gov/html/budget/PDFs/fy_10_exec_budget_transportation.pdf |title=Hearing on the Fiscal 2010 Executive Budget |date=13 May 2009 |work=Council of the City of New York, Finance Dept. |access-date=20 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911000253/http://council.nyc.gov/html/budget/PDFs/fy_10_exec_budget_transportation.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-11 }}</ref> to approximately $500 in California.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/july2011_jcbail.pdf |title=Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule |date=July 2011 |work=Judicial Council of California |access-date=20 November 2011 |archive-date=9 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209204634/http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/july2011_jcbail.pdf }}</ref> The cost in California can increase to approximately $600 if the motorist elects to attend traffic school in order to avoid having a demerit point added to his or her driving record.

====Notice of traffic violation====
In many California police departments, when a positive identification cannot be made, the registered owner of the vehicle will be mailed a ''notice of traffic violation'' instead of a real ticket. Also known as "snitch tickets," these notices are used to request identifying information about the driver of the vehicle during the alleged violation. Because these notices have not been filed at court, they carry no legal weight and the registered owner is under no obligation to respond. In California, a genuine ticket will bear the name and address of the local branch of the Superior Court and direct the recipient to contact that court. In contrast, a ''notice of traffic violation'' generated by the police will omit court information, using statements like "This is not a notice to appear" and "Do not forward this information to the Court."<ref name="Highwayrobbery">{{cite web|url=http://highwayrobbery.net/redlightcamsticket.htm#Fakes |title=Red Light Cameras in California |publisher=Highwayrobbery.net |access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref><ref name="losangeles.cbslocal.com">{{cite web | title=Are Police Tricking People Into Paying 'Snitch' Tickets? | website=CBS Los Angeles | date=2011-02-13 | url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/02/13/goldstein-investigation-are-police-tricking-people-into-paying-snitch-tickets/ |first=David |last=Goldstein}}</ref><ref name="The Right To Remain Silent">{{cite web |url=http://www.almanacnews.com/news/show_story.php?id=10022 |title=The Right To Remain Silent |publisher=almanacnews.com |access-date=18 November 2011 |date=8 November 2011 |archive-date=13 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113052247/http://www.almanacnews.com/news/show_story.php?id=10022 }}</ref><ref name="handelonthelaw.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.handelonthelaw.com/home/law-articles/traffic-moving-violations-articles/red-light-camera-tickets---something-consumers-should-know.html |title=Something Every Consumer Should Know |publisher=HandelontheLaw.com |access-date=18 November 2011 |date=27 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204183719/http://www.handelonthelaw.com/home/law-articles/traffic-moving-violations-articles/red-light-camera-tickets---something-consumers-should-know.html |archive-date=2012-12-04 }}</ref>

In September 2014, a bill was proposed in New Jersey to disallow the state Motor Vehicle Commission from sharing license plate and driver information needed to cite New Jersey drivers accused of committing infractions in another state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill A3527|url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A4000/3527_I1.HTM|publisher=State of New Jersey|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>

====Decrease since 2012 in the USA====

{{Graph:Chart
|type=line
|width=400
|height=225
|xAxisTitle=Year
|x=1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018
|yAxisTitle=Number of communities
|y1=1,1,2,2,5,12,21,27,34,50,56,72,94,115,155,243,380,440,491,530,533,528,516,467,458,430,403
|legend=Red light camera deployment
|y1Title=USA, source IIHS
|showSymbols=
}}

While the number of red light cameras decreased from 533 in 2012 to 421 in 2018, people killed in red-light crashes increased from 696 in 2012 to 811 in 2016, reflecting a 17% increase.<ref>{{cite web | title=Red-Light-Running Fatalities Increase 17% in Four Years | website=Automotive Fleet | date=July 24, 2018 | url=https://www.automotive-fleet.com/308180/red-light-running-fatalities-increase-17-in-four-years}}</ref>

The reasons for the red light camera discontinuation were reduction in camera citations, difficulty sustaining the financial viability of the program and intense community opposition.<ref name="autogenerated2"/>

In the USA, surveys indicate the public support for red light camera enforcement; however, the support is decreasing if programs are not adequate, or if perception is focused on revenue rather than on saving lives.
To be successful, a red light camera should focus on safety and transparency, as well as be located in a problematic intersection which needs to be assessed by communities (for instance, for road design and signal timing). It could also take into account public input with stakeholders such as law enforcement, victim advocates, school officials and residents to plan a program.<ref name="autogenerated2"/>

===Singapore===
In 2014 Singapore started to use German Jenoptik red light cameras, with an 11-megapixel resolution. 240 streets have red light cameras in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web | title=5 Different Types of Traffic Cameras in Singapore | website=ETHOZ | date=2019-04-04 | url=https://www.ethozgroup.com/blog/5-different-types-of-traffic-cameras-in-singapore/}}</ref>

===New South Wales===

In New South Wales red light cameras were introduced in April 1982 <ref>{{cite book |last1=Hulscher |first1=Frank |title=A Signal Career |date=1993 |publisher=Roads and Traffic Authority |location=Sydney |page=133}}</ref> followed by speed cameras in 2009.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web |url=https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/2017-speed-camera-review.pdf |title=Speed Camera Programs: 2017 Annual Review |website=roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au |date=May 2018}}</ref>

In New South Wales there are 191 cameras at 171 intersection. These camera can check both the red light and the speed<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

During the period of observations were:
* 33% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes
* 54% reduction in fatalities
* 35% reduction in serious injuries
* 49% reduction in pedestrian casualties.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

==Studies and politics==

A report in 2003 by the [[National Cooperative Highway Research Program]] examined studies from the previous 30 years in Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the US, and concluded that red light cameras "improve the overall safety of intersections where they are used."<ref name=NCHRP/> While the report states that evidence is not conclusive (partly due to flaws in the studies), the majority of studies show a reduction in angle crashes, a smaller increase in rear-end crashes, with some evidence of a "spillover" effect of reduced red light running to other intersections within a jurisdiction.<ref name=NCHRP/> These findings are similar to a 2005 [[meta analysis]], which compared the results of 10 controlled before-after studies of red light cameras in the US, Australia, and Singapore. The analysis stated that the studies showed a reduction in crashes (up to almost 30%) in which there were injuries; however, evidence was less conclusive for a reduction in total collisions.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003862.html |title=Red light cameras for the prevention of road traffic crashes
|author=A. Aeron-Thomas |author2=S. Hess |year=2005 |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2005
|issue=2
|article-number=CD003862
|access-date=9 January 2011|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD003862.pub2
|pmid=15846684
|pmc=6492462
}}</ref> Studies of red light cameras worldwide show a reduction of crashes involving injury by about 25% to 30%, taking into account increases in rear-end crashes, according to testimony from a meeting of the Virginia House of Delegates Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee in 2003.<ref name=Oesch>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/laws/testimony/pdf/testimony_slo_011703.pdf |title=Statement before the Virginia House of Delegates Militia, police, and Public Safety Committee. Red Light Violations and Red Light Cameras. |author=Stephen Oesch |date=17 January 2003 |work=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |page=3 |access-date=16 December 2010 |quote=the body of evidence indicates that red light cameras are beneficial. They reduce injury crashes by about 25 to 30 percent, and that's after accounting for some small increase in rear-end crashes. |archive-date=22 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130422231549/http://www.iihs.org/laws/testimony/pdf/testimony_slo_011703.pdf }}</ref> These findings are supported by a review of more than 45 international studies carried out in 2010, which found that red light cameras reduce red light violation rates, crashes resulting from red light running, and usually reduce right-angle collisions.<ref name=Bochner/>

Amongst the many researched safety benefits of installing RLCs, few studies have examined drivers' behavior change in relation to red-light cameras showing that at these intersections drivers tended to react quicker to a yellow light change when stopping.<ref name="Fatemeh Baratian-Ghorghi 2015"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=1287560 |title=Impacts of Automated Red Light Running Enforcement Cameras on Driver Behavior |author=Timothy Jordan Gates|author2= Peter Tarmo Savolainen|author3= Honey-Um Maria |year=2014 |work=Transportation Research Board |access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> The consequence of this change could be the slight decline in the intersection capacity.<ref name=Baratian/>
In terms of location-specific studies, in Singapore a study from 2003 found that there was "a substantial drop" in red light violations at intersections with red light cameras. In particular the study found that drivers were encouraged to stop more readily in areas with red light cameras in use.<ref name=Lum/> A report from civic administrators in [[Saskatchewan]] in 2001, when considering red light camera use, referred to studies in the Netherlands and Australia that found a 40% decrease in red light violations and 32% decrease in right-angle crashes where red light cameras were installed.<ref name=Star>{{cite news |title=Camera logic failed to click|newspaper=The Star Phoenix |location=Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |date=26 January 2001 |page=A14 }}</ref> Following the introduction of red light cameras in Western Australia, the number of serious right-angle crashes decreased by 40%, according to an article from the ''Canberra Times''.<ref name=Clack/> In an article from the [[Xinhua General News Service]], the Hong Kong transport department reported that in 2006 the monthly average number of crashes due to red light violations fell 25% and the number of people injured in these crashes decreased by 30%, following an increase in the number of red light cameras in use.<ref name=HongKong/>

===North America===
[[File:TraffipaxRedLightCamera.jpg|upright|thumb|Red light camera in Ontario, Canada]]
In the U.S. and Canada, a number of studies have examined whether red light cameras produce a safety benefit. A 2005 study by the U.S. [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) suggests red light cameras reduce dangerous right-angle crashes.<ref name=Council>{{cite web |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/05048/index.cfm |title=Safety Evaluation of Red Light Cameras |author=Forrest M. Council |date=April 2005 |work=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=5 May 2015}}</ref> The FHWA study has been criticized as containing critical methodological and analytical flaws and failing to explain an increase in fatalities associated with red light camera use:<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://health.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/2511FA2D-6BC2-4091-9FD5-DBF711F420AA/0/2011pp00109FPHROrbanetal.pdf |title=An Update on Red Light Camera Research: The Need for Federal Standards in the Interest of Public Safety  |access-date=2011-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720101802/http://health.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/2511FA2D-6BC2-4091-9FD5-DBF711F420AA/0/2011pp00109FPHROrbanetal.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-20 |first1=Barbara |last1=Langland-Orban |first2=John T. |last2=Large |first3=Etienne E. |last3=Pracht |journal=Florida Public Health Review |year=2011 |volume=8 |pages=1–9}}</ref><blockquote>(...)the authors spotlight the statistical difficulties of including the cost of fatalities, while ignoring the practical implications of such events (...) assuming that each angle injury crash had a societal cost of $64,468, when in fact the cost was $82,816 before camera use and $100,176 after camera use(...)<ref name="hsc.usf.edu">
{{cite journal |url=http://hsc.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/C1702850-8716-4C2D-8EEB-15A2A741061A/0/2008pp001008OrbanetalRedLightPaperMarch72008formatted.pdf |title=Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries and Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used in Florida? |first1=Barbara |last1=Langland-Orban |first2=Etienne E. |last2=Pracht |first3=John T. |last3=Large |journal=Florida Public Health Review |year=2008 |volume=5 |pages=1–7}}</ref></blockquote>

Not all studies have been favorable to the use of red light cameras. A 2004 study of 17,271 crashes from North Carolina A & T University showed that the presence of red light cameras ''increased'' the overall number of crashes by 40%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/crash-risk-study |title=A Detailed Investigation of Crash Risk Reduction Resulting From Red-Light Cameras in Small Urban Areas |access-date=2011-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103020133/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/crash-risk-study |archive-date=2011-01-03 }}</ref> This research received no [[peer review]] and is considered flawed by the IIHS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihs.org/research/paper_pdfs/mf_1804.pdf|title=Highway safety topics|access-date=2011-03-15|archive-date=2012-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925031006/http://www.iihs.org/research/paper_pdfs/mf_1804.pdf}}</ref> A 2005 [[Virginia Department of Transportation]] study of the long-term effects of camera enforcement in the state found a decrease in the number of right-angle crashes with injuries, but an increase in rear-end crashes and an overall increase in the number of crashes causing injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vtrc.virginiadot.org/PubDetails.aspx?PubNo=05-R21 |title=An evaluation of red light camera (photo-red) enforcement programs in Virginia: a report in response to a request by Virginia's Secretary of Transportation |author=Saeed Eslambolchi |author2=Rahul Khandelwal|author3=Kimberly M Mattingly|author4=Kristin W Sprinkle|author5=Patrick Wachendorf|author6=Nicholas J. Garber|author7= John S. Miller |year=2005 |publisher=Virginia.gov |access-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> In 2007, the department issued an updated report which showed that the overall number of crashes at intersections with red light cameras increased. This report concluded that the decision to install red light cameras should be made on an intersection-by-intersection basis as some intersections saw decreases in crashes and injuries that justified the use of red light cameras, while others saw increases in crashes, indicating that the cameras were not suitable in that location.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vtrc.virginiadot.org/PubDetails.aspx?PubNo=07-R2 |title=The impact of red light cameras (photo-red enforcement) on crashes in Virginia |author=Elizabeth Abel Kassebaum |author2=Saeed Eslambolchi|author3= Santhosh K Korukonda|author4= Nicholas J. Garber|author5= John S. Miller |year=2007 |publisher=Virginia.gov |access-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> This study, too, is considered flawed by the IIHS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/r1100.pdf |title=Review of "The Impact of Red Light Cameras (Photo-Red Enforcement) on Crashes in Virginia" by Nicholas J. Garber, John S. Miller, R. Elizabeth Abel, Saeed Eslambolchi, and Santhosh K. Korukonda |first=Bhagwant N. |last=Persaud |author2=Richard A. Retting |author3=Craig Lyon |author4=Anne T. McCartt |date=May 2008 |work=Insurance Institute of Highway Safety |page=1 |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418150230/http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/r1100.pdf }}</ref> [[Aurora, Colorado]] experienced mixed results with red light cameras; after starting camera enforcement at 4 intersections, crashes decreased by 60% at one, increased 100% at two, and increased 175% at the fourth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/26/more-red-light-cameras-for-aurora/ |title=Aurora may add cameras to catch red light runners |last1=Washington |first1=April M. |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=Rocky Mountain News |access-date=2011-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528011408/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/26/more-red-light-cameras-for-aurora/ |archive-date=2008-05-28 }}</ref> According to the IIHS, most studies suggest the increase in rear-end collisions decreases once drivers have become accustomed to the new dynamics of the intersection.<ref name=IIHS/> Some locations experience a decrease in rear-end collisions at intersections with red light cameras over time, for instance, in Los Angeles such collisions fell 4.7% from 2008 to 2009.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.lapdpolicecom.lacity.org/022211/BPC_11-0080.pdf |title=Intradepartmental correspondence. |date=16 February 2011 |work=Los Angeles Police Department |access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> However, a 2010 analysis by the Los Angeles City Controller found L.A.'s red light cameras had not demonstrated an improvement in safety,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/06/red_light_traffic_cameras_la.php|title=Red Light Cameras in L.A. Could Become Extinct After City Council Declines to Save Them|author=Dennis Romero|work=L.A. Weekly}}</ref> specifically that of the 32 intersections equipped with cameras, 12 saw more crashes than before the cameras were installed, 4 had the same number, and 16 had fewer crashes; also that factors other than the cameras may have been responsible for the reduced crashes at the 16 intersections.<ref>{{citation |url=http://controller.lacity.org/stellent/groups/electedofficials/@ctr_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_011808.pdf |work=Los Angeles Office of the City Controller |title=Audit of the Photo Red Light Program |access-date=2011-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008194602/http://controller.lacity.org/stellent/groups/electedofficials/%40ctr_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_011808.pdf |archive-date=2010-10-08 }}</ref> And in [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]], crashes were found to have significantly increased in the years following the deployment of red light cameras.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/columnists/tom_brodbeck/2010/09/22/15445456.html|title=Red-light cam disgrace|author=Tom Brodbeck|work=Winnipeg Sun }}</ref> In 2010, Arizona completed a study of their statewide 76 photo enforcement cameras<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Department of Public Safety – Photo Enforcement Program: Questions and Answers. Report 10-02.
 |publisher   = State of [[Arizona]], Office of the Auditor General
 |date        = January 2010
 |url         = http://www.azauditor.gov/Reports/State_Agencies/Agencies/Public_Safety_Department_of/Performance/10-02/10-02.pdf
 |access-date  = 2010-08-08
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100716004636/http://www.azauditor.gov/Reports/State_Agencies/Agencies/Public_Safety_Department_of/Performance/10-02/10-02.pdf
 |archive-date = 2010-07-16
}}
</ref> and decided they would not renew the program in 2011; lower revenue than expected, mixed public acceptance and mixed accident data were cited.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Release to Australian Securities Exchange: Arizona Speed Contract
 |publisher   = [[Redflex Holdings]] Limited
 |date        = 6 May 2010
 |url         = http://redflex.com/public_documents/asx_announcements/2010-05-06%20Arizona%20Speed%20Contract.pdf
 |access-date  = 2010-08-08
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100927072410/http://redflex.com/public_documents/asx_announcements/2010-05-06%20Arizona%20Speed%20Contract.pdf
 |archive-date = 27 September 2010
}}
</ref>

Nevertheless, the FHWA has concluded that the cameras yielded a positive overall cost benefit due to the reduction in more expensive right-angle injury collisions.<ref name=Council/><ref name=FHWA>{{cite web |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/05048/05048.pdf |title=Safety Evaluation of Red Light Cameras |date=April 2005 |work=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> Other studies have found a greater crash reduction. For example, a 2005 study of the [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], red light camera program conducted by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at [[North Carolina State University]] found right-angle crashes dropped by 42%, rear-end crashes dropped by 25% and total crashes dropped by 17%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/HS810763.pdf |title=Automated Enforcement: A Compendium of Worldwide Evaluations of Results |author=Lawrence E. Decina |author2=Libby Thomas|author3= Raghavan Srinivasan|author4= Loren Staplin |date=September 2007 |publisher=nhtsa.gov |page=33 |access-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> In 2010, the IIHS looked at results of a number of studies and found that red light cameras reduce total collisions and particularly reduce the type of crashes that are especially likely to cause injuries.<ref name=Retting10>{{cite journal |last1=Retting |first1=Richard |date=November 2010 |title=Two Decades of Photo Enforcement in the United States: A Brief Summary of Experience and Lessons Learned |journal=ITE Journal}}</ref> A 2011 IIHS report concluded that the rate of fatal collisions involving red-light running in cities with a population of 200,000 or greater was 24% lower with cameras than it would have been without cameras.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/r1151.pdf |title=Effects of Red Light Camera Enforcement on Fatal Crashes in Large US Cities |last1=Hu |first1=Wen |last2=McCartt |first2=Anne T. |last3=Teoh |first3=Eric R. |journal=Journal of Safety Research |volume=42 |issue=4 |pages=277–82 |date=February 2011 |publisher=IIHS.org |access-date=22 March 2011 |pmid=22017830 |doi=10.1016/j.jsr.2011.06.002 |archive-date=8 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008024731/http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/r1151.pdf }}</ref>

==Opinions==

===United States===
A 2009 Public Opinion Strategies poll which asked, "Do you support or oppose the use of red-light cameras to detect red-light runners and enforce traffic laws in your state's most dangerous intersections?" found 69% support and 29% oppose.<ref name=Newhouse>{{cite web |url=http://pos.org/poll-shows-strong-national-support-for-red-light-cameras/|title=Poll Shows Strong National Support For 'Red Light Cameras' |author=Neil Newhouse |date=19 May 2009 |work=TQIA Blog |publisher=Public Opinion Strategies |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> A 2012 telephone survey of [[District of Columbia]] residents published in the journal ''[[Traffic Injury Prevention]]'' found that 87% favored red light cameras.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cicchino|first1=Jessica B.|last2=Wells|first2=Joann K.|last3=McCartt|first3=Anne T.|date=2014|title=Survey about pedestrian safety and attitudes toward automated traffic enforcement in Washington, D.C|journal=Traffic Injury Prevention|volume=15|issue=4|pages=414–423|doi=10.1080/15389588.2013.830212|issn=1538-957X|pmid=24471367|s2cid=26686028}}</ref>

The [[National Motorists Association]] opposes red light cameras on the grounds that the use of these devices raises legal issues and violates the privacy of citizens. They also argue that the use of red light cameras does not increase safety.<ref name=Motorists /> In the US, [[American Automobile Association|AAA]] Auto Club South argued against the passage of a Florida state law to allow red light cameras, stating that use of red light cameras was primarily for raising money for the state and local government coffers and would not increase road safety.<ref name=Naples/><ref>{{cite news |title=AAA seeking veto on red light cameras |first=James A. |last=Jones |url=http://www.bradenton.com/2010/05/11/2274518/aaa-seeking-veto-on-red-light.html |newspaper=Bradenton Herald |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref> Worse, there are allegations of corruption in shortening the amber to increase the number of tickets.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jaffe|first1=Eric|title=Why Red Light Cameras Have Big Safety Benefits But Little Support|url=http://www.citylab.com/commute/2015/08/why-red-light-cameras-have-big-safety-benefits-but-little-support/401291/|access-date=17 August 2015|work=Citylab|date=14 August 2015}}</ref> The construction of speed breakers or road bumps were conventional methods of forcing motorists to lower speeds, but were dropped at locales in favor of cameras due to lobbying efforts.

===Canada and Europe===

In Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands, a postal survey in 2003 showed acceptance of the use of red light cameras for traffic enforcement.<ref name=Lum/> For some groups, the enforcement of traffic laws is considered the main reason for using the red light cameras. For example, a report from civic administrators in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2001 described the cameras as "simply an enforcement tool used to penalize motorists that fail to stop for red traffic signals."<ref name=Star/>

==Legal questions and restrictions==

===United States===
{{As of|2016|12 |df=US}} [[Arizona]], [[Arkansas]], [[Louisiana]], [[Maine]], [[Mississippi]], [[Montana]], [[Nebraska]], [[Nevada]], [[New Jersey]], [[South Carolina]], [[South Dakota]], [[Utah]], [[West Virginia]], and [[Wisconsin]] have enacted various prohibitions on red light, speed or other photo enforcement camera uses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/automated_enforcement/enforcementtable?topicName=Red%20light%20running#tableData|title=States using red light and speed cameras|website=www.iihs.org|access-date=2016-12-22|archive-date=2016-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223131729/http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/automated_enforcement/enforcementtable?topicName=Red%20light%20running#tableData}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/state-traffic-camera-restrictions.html|title=Traffic and Red Light Camera Laws by State|website=Findlaw|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> [[Texas]] banned the use of red cameras in 2019.<ref>{{cite web | last=Fedschun | first=Travis | title=Red light cameras banned in Texas | website=[[Fox News]] | date=2019-06-02 | url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/red-light-cameras-texas-governor-greg-abbott-new-law}}</ref> Restrictions or conditions exist in additional states; the New Mexico Department of Transportation, for example, has asserted the right to restrict or prohibit red light cameras on state highways.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.nmshtd.state.nm.us/upload/contents/436/Red%20Light%20Camera%20Ban%20%28ver%203b%29.pdf |title=State Transportation Commission Bans Use of Red-light Cameras on State and Federal Highways |access-date=2011-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929035426/http://www.nmshtd.state.nm.us/upload/contents/436/Red%20Light%20Camera%20Ban%20(ver%203b).pdf |archive-date=2011-09-29 |publisher=New Mexico Department of Transportation}}</ref> While red light cameras may not be prohibited in other regions, they may have some restrictions on their use. In some jurisdictions, the law says that the camera needs to obtain a photo of the driver's face in order for the citation issued for running the red light to be valid. This is the case in California and Colorado<ref name=Enforcement/> where the red light cameras are set up to take a series of photographs, including one of the driver's face.<ref name=Daly>{{cite web |url=http://www.dalycity.org/City_Hall/Departments/police_department/red_light_cameras/howdoesitwork.htm |title=How does it work? |publisher=DalyCity.org |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121052058/http://www.dalycity.org/City_Hall/Departments/police_department/red_light_cameras/howdoesitwork.htm |archive-date=2011-01-21 }}</ref> In California, state law assesses a demerit point against a driver who runs a red light,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |title=Focus On Safety |year=2007 |work=Stop Red Light Running |page=66 |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906104731/http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-06 }}</ref> and the need to identify the actual violator has led to the creation of a unique investigatory tool, the fake "ticket."<ref name="Highwayrobbery"/><ref name="losangeles.cbslocal.com"/><ref name="The Right To Remain Silent"/><ref name="handelonthelaw.com"/> Groups opposing the use of red light cameras have argued that where the cameras are not set up to identify the vehicle driver, owner liability issues are raised. It is perceived by some that the owner of the vehicle is unfairly penalized by being considered liable for red-light violations although they may not have been the driver at the time of the offense.<ref name=Small/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/objections |title=NMA Objections To Red-Light Cameras |publisher=National Motorists Association |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718085600/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/objections |archive-date=18 July 2010 }}</ref> In most jurisdictions the liability for red light violations is a civil offense, rather than a criminal citation, issued upon the vehicle owner—similar to a parking ticket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |title=Focus On Safety |year=2007 |work=Stop Red Light Running |page=67 |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906104731/http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/WEBONLY_Red%20Light%20Book.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-06 }}</ref> The issue of owner liability has been addressed in the US courts, with a ruling in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 2007, which agreed with a lower court when it found that the presumption of liability of the owners of vehicles issued citations does not violate due process rights.<ref name=AgomoFenty>{{cite court |litigants=Agomo v. Fenty |vol=916 |reporter= |opinion=181 |pinpoint= |court=District of Columbia Court of Appeals |date=1 February 2007 |url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8575727632696898671&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr |quote="Appellants argue that the method of assessing liability preliminarily to the registered owner of the car conflicts with the statutory framework set forth in D.C.Code § 50-2302.06(a), which requires that the District prove a moving violation by clear and convincing evidence, and that this "presumption of liability" violates their due process rights. ... We hold that there exists no constitutional violation as asserted and affirm."}}</ref> This ruling was supported by a 2009 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in which it was held that issuing citations to vehicle owners (or lessees) is constitutional. The court stated that it also encourages drivers to be cautious in lending their vehicles to others.<ref name=IdrisChicago1>{{cite court |litigants=Idris v. City of Chicago, Illinois |vol= |reporter= |opinion=08-1363 |pinpoint= |court=7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals |date=5 January 2009 |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1118906.html
|quote="Fining a car's owner is rational for the same reasons:  Owners will take more care when lending their cars, and often they can pass the expense on to the real wrongdoer." "It is enough to say that photographs are at least as reliable as live testimony, that the due process clause allows administrative decisions to be made on paper (or photographic) records without regard to the hearsay rule, see Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971), and that the procedures Chicago uses are functionally identical to those it uses to adjudicate parking tickets, a system sustained in Van Harken v. Chicago, 103 F.3d 1346 (7th Cir.1997). Affirmed."}}</ref>

The argument that red light cameras violate the privacy of citizens,<ref name=Motorists/> has also been addressed in the US courts. According to a 2009 ruling by the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals, "no one has a fundamental right to run a red light or avoid being seen by a camera on a public street."<ref name=IdrisChicago2>{{cite court |litigants=Idris v. City of Chicago, Illinois |vol= |reporter= |opinion=08-1363 |pinpoint= |court=7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals |date=5 January 2009 |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1118906.html
|quote=no one has a fundamental right to run a red light or avoid being seen by a camera on a public street.}}</ref> In addition, cameras only take photographs or video when a vehicle has run a red light and, in most states, the camera does not photograph the driver or the occupants of the vehicle.<ref name=IIHS/> It is also argued that such cameras violate the [[Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Sixth Amendment's]] [[Confrontation Clause]] and the right to be assumed [[Presumption of innocence|innocent until proven guilty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/457790-red-light-cameras-undermine-rule-of-law|title=Red-light cameras undermine rule of law|last=Allott|first=Daniel|date=2019-08-18|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref>

In most areas, red light enforcement cameras are installed and maintained by private firms.<ref name=Miller>{{cite news |title=With Cameras on the Corner, Your Ticket Is in the Mail |author=Jonathan Miller |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/06/technology/circuits/06came.html?_r=1 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 January 2005 |access-date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=Washington>{{cite news |title=Toss your ticket |url=http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/01/toss-your-ticket/ |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=Farley>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/feb/03/cbr---red-light-cameras-red-light-cameras-to-get/#ixzz0X0MADxNk |title=Smile, Bremerton! You're on Red Light Camera |author=Josh Farley |date=3 February 2008 |work=Kitap Sun.com |access-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> Lawsuits have been raised challenging private companies' rights to hand out citations, such as a December 2008 lawsuit challenging the city of [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]' red light camera program, which was dismissed in March 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsafe/safelight_faqs.html#Q1 |title=Red Light Camera Safety Program Frequently Asked Questions |work=Dallas City Hall |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126212900/http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsafe/safelight_faqs.html#Q1 |archive-date=2010-11-26 }}</ref> In most cases, citations are issued by law enforcement officers using the evidence provided by the companies.<ref name=Farley/>

There have been many instances where cities in the US have been found to have too-short yellow-light intervals at some intersections where red light cameras have been installed. In Tennessee, 176 drivers were refunded for fines paid after it was discovered that the length of the yellow was too short for that location, and motorists were caught running the light in the first second of the red phase.<ref name=TFP>{{cite news |title=Quick light leads to refunds for 176 drivers |author=Brian Lazenby |url=http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/13/quick-light-leads-refunds-176-drivers/ |newspaper=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=13 March 2008 |access-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110101939/http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/13/quick-light-leads-refunds-176-drivers/ |archive-date=2011-01-10 }}</ref> In California, a combined total of 7,603 tickets were refunded or dismissed by the cities of Bakersfield, Costa Mesa, East LA, San Carlos, and Union City, because of too-short yellows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highwayrobbery.net/redlightcamscameras.htm |title=Camera Towns |publisher=highwayrobbery.net |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> Although national guidelines addressing the length of traffic signals are available,<ref name=Manual>{{cite web |url=https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ |title=Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices |work=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> traffic signal phase times are determined by the government employees of the city, county or state for that signalized location.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/engine/traffic/signal/faq.htm |title=City of Lincoln Traffic Signals Frequently Asked Questions |work=Lincoln.ne.gov |publisher=City of Lincoln, Nebraska |access-date=17 January 2011 |quote=The City of Lincoln follows City policies and Nebraska State Law, which requires us to follow the national guidelines outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) |archive-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814002947/http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/engine/traffic/signal/faq.htm }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hvceo.org/transport/signal_coordination.php |title=Traffic Signal Coordination Handbook |work=Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials |publisher=HVCEO Transportation Planning |access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> While some states set jurisdiction-wide constant durations for yellow-light intervals, a new standard is taking hold. States are required to adopt the 2009 National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as their legal state standard for traffic-control devices since 2011.<ref name=Manual/> These standards require engineering practices to be used to set yellow-light-timing durations at individual intersections and or corridors.<ref name=FederalReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/11/30/2010-29587/manual-on-uniform-traffic-control-devices-mutcd-compliance-dates |title=Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Compliance Dates |date=30 November 2010 |work=Federal Register |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> For guidance to state authorities, MUTCD states yellow lights should have a minimum duration of 3 seconds and a maximum duration of 6 seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part4.pdf |title=Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2009 Edition |year=2009 |work=Federal Highway Administration |page=489 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> The deadline for compliance is 2014.<ref name=FederalReg/> In the US, if any part of a driver's vehicle has already passed into the intersection when the signal turns red, a violation is not generated. A ticket is only issued if the vehicle enters the intersection while the light is red.<ref name=SanDiego/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/files/police/PhotoradarFAQ.pdf |title=Photo Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions |work=City of Tucson, Tucson Police Department |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516040449/http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/files/police/PhotoradarFAQ.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-16 }}</ref>

In 2014, a bill was introduced in the United States House of Representatives attempting to prohibit red light cameras on federally funded highways and in the District of Columbia.<ref>{{USBill|113|HR|5755}}</ref>

===Italy===
In 2010, it was revealed that the municipality of [[Segrate]], [[Italy]], two nearby traffic lights had been synchronized such that drivers were coerced to either break the [[speed limit]] or pass during the red light. This was investigated as a deliberate fraud to increase the income from tickets. It took months before the machines were eventually dismantled by the [[Guardia di Finanza]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/31/3128.asp |title=Italy: Prosecution Advances in Red Light Camera Fraud Scandal |date=3 May 2010 |publisher=theNewspaper.com |access-date=2011-03-01 |quote=Mayor Adriano Alessandrini is now accused of shortening the duration of yellow lights to boost the profits of the red light camera program. The move paid off, with 2,425,801.60 euros (US $3,206,078.01) in revenue generated from motorists who did not have adequate time to stop, according to prosecution documents.}}</ref>

==Alternatives==
A red light camera is not the only countermeasure against red-light running. Others include increasing the visibility distance and [[wikt:conspicuity|conspicuity]] of the traffic light so it is more likely to attract the driver's attention in time for him or her to stop,<ref name="Albuquerque_Final">{{cite web |url=http://isr.unm.edu/index.php/download_file/-/view/468/ |title=City of Albuquerque Red Light Camera Study Final Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113040633/http://isr.unm.edu/index.php/download_file/-/view/468/ |archive-date=2010-11-13  |publisher=UNM.edu |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="AAA_Michigan">{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/aaa-michigan.pdf |title=AAA Michigan Program Prevents Crashes, One Intersection at a Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927152057/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/aaa-michigan.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-27 |publisher=motorists.org}}</ref> re-timing lights so drivers will encounter fewer red ones,<ref name=Albuquerque_Final/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/alternatives |title=Alternatives to Red Light Cameras |access-date=2011-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526113014/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/alternatives |archive-date=2011-05-26 }}</ref> increasing the duration of the yellow light between the green and the red,<ref>[http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-4196-2.pdf "Development of Guidelines for Identifying and Treating Locations with a Red-Light-Running Problem"] (PDF), tamu.edu.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/timing-myths |title=Yellow Light Timing Myths |access-date=2011-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811074122/http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/timing-myths |archive-date=2011-08-11 }}</ref> adding a "clearance" phase to the intersection's traffic signals, during which all directions have a red light.<ref name=AAA_Michigan/> It has been posited that the regulatory minimum yellow duration has been decreased over the years, that this is a cause of the increase in red-light running, and that the latter countermeasures amount to a reversion to earlier, longer regulated yellow-light durations.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Red Light Running Crisis: Is it Intentional? Part 5 | website=TheNewspaper.com | url=http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/reports/rlcreport5.asp}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Speed bump]] ([[Sleeping policeman]])
*[[Divided highway]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Red light cameras}}
{{Wiktionary|red light camera}}

{{Traffic law}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Light Camera}}
[[Category:Applications of computer vision]]
[[Category:Dutch inventions]]
[[Category:Traffic enforcement cameras]]
[[Category:Road traffic management]]
[[Category:Street furniture]]
[[Category:Surveillance]]
[[Category:Transportation engineering]]