Arkansas Red Light Cameras

Although Arkansas does not use red light cameras, running a red light carries penalties such as a $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Although
Arkansas
does not utilize red light cameras,
running a red light
can still get you into serious trouble. The penalties for your first red light offense in Arkansas include a $100 fine and up to 10 days of jail time.
As red light cameras become more common in the United States, drivers are growing increasingly worried that they will be falsely accused of running a red light. Although red lights cameras are effective at reducing fatal car accidents, they are indeed prone to occasional mistakes.
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The state of Arkansas does not currently use red light cameras. Instead, they rely on law enforcement to catch people who commit traffic violations and dole out tickets the old-fashioned way.
If you’re caught running a red light, first-time offenders can expect:
  • A fine of up to $100
  • Up to 10 days of jail time
  • 3
    demerit points
    added to your record
If you commit a second or third offense, the penalties will rise accordingly. By your third offense, you may be faced with a $500 fine and six months in jail.
As for the demerit points, they stay on your driving record for three years. If you accrue 14 or more points within a three-year timeframe, your
Arkansas driver’s license
will be
suspended
And if your red light violation is particularly egregious, you could face a
reckless driving
charge. This is a criminal offense with even more serious consequences, so commit to driving safely to avoid it.

What should I do if I receive a red light ticket? 

If you’re caught running a red light, you have two options. If you know you’re in the wrong, you’ll simply have to pay the fine and accept the points on your license. For a first-time offense, there is a good chance you can avoid any jail time.
If you feel you didn’t commit a violation, you have the option to deny the accusation and contest it in court.

How to pay a red light ticket

You have plenty of options if you decide to pay the fine for a red light violation in Arkansas. You can:
  • Pay online
  • Pay by check
  • Pay by phone
  • Pay in-person
Where you need to go if you choose to pay in person will depend on the city or town you live in. Generally, you’ll be expected to make any payment for a traffic violation in full.

How to fight a red light ticket

If you feel like you’re innocent, you can choose to argue the charge in court. Some of the common ways people fight red light tickets include:
  • Claiming that there was no way to see the light in time
  • Explaining that you had to enter the intersection to avoid a
    car accident
  • Arguing that the light was still yellow when you entered the intersection
  • Contesting that the camera failed to function properly
With any of these arguments, it’s possible that your penalties could be reduced or that you’ll be let off the hook completely.

How do red light cameras work? 

Red light cameras use a sensor to detect violations. When a car enters an intersection while the light is red, the sensor will tell the camera to take a photo. These photos attempt to capture the
license plate
and the face of the person driving. 
Although law enforcement agencies make use of red light cameras, they are usually installed and operated by third-party companies. These companies have an agreement with certain cities, and both the company and city make money from the fines the cameras generate.
On the plus side, a benefit of red light cameras is that they reduce serious accidents.
One study
found that red light cameras reduce the number of fatal accidents at congested intersections by 14%.
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FAQs

If you live in Arkansas, you can assume a red light ticket generated by a camera is fake. That’s because Arkansas doesn’t use red light cameras. 
If you live in another state and receive a red light camera ticket, your best course of action is to see if the given date and location make sense. If you’re ever unsure, be sure to call a city or town official to ask.
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