Are traffic light cameras accurate when giving tickets for running red lights?

While traffic light cameras are increasing in cities around the country, the revenue from traffic light camera tickets is also increasing, sometimes causing questions about the purpose of this equipment. The stated intention was to prevent traffic accidents, but evidence seems to indicate that it may be more about revenue for the cities that use them. As a result, the equipment is being used while it is still full of errors resulting in many invalid tickets.

Reports throughout the world indicate that many tickets have been issued in error, and some municipalities have returned thousands of dollars in fine money. Some of the most common errors include:

• Ticketing drivers for running a red light when evidence showed they clearly stopped before making the right turn

• Drivers have been ticketed for running red lights when they have never passed through that intersection of visited that part of town

• Many times the length of yellow lights have been shortened in conjunction with red light cameras, illegally depriving citizens of the legally allotted time to stop before red

While it is clear that there are grounds to fight traffic light camera tickets in many instances, it does require a great deal of research about the operation of this equipment. In order to present an effective case, it may be wise to consult with a traffic light ticket attorney who is experienced in fighting these citations.