District of Columbia Red Light Camera
You could be charged $150 and have two points added to your driver’s record if a District of Columbia red light camera captures footage of your car.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
A red light camera ticket in the District of Columbia could cost you $150 plus two points on your driver’s record, so it’s important to know your rights when contesting a ticket.
The goal of red light cameras is to decrease the number of traffic violations that occur in order to prevent any accidents that could result in injuries or fatalities. While well-intentioned, red light cameras are far from perfect in practice.
If you’ve received a red light camera ticket and suspect it’s a mistake, you need to know your rights for challenging the citation.
In the District of Columbia, the fines for running a red light can be pricey, and the process for fighting one of these pesky tickets requires a bit of effort. Luckily,
car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
has put together this helpful guide about everything you need to know when it comes to red light cameras in the nation’s capital. 
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Are red light cameras legal in the District of Columbia?
Yes— District of Columbia law permits the use of automated cameras at traffic light intersections to catch red-light violators. According to D.C.
Municipal Regulation 18 Section 2103
, “a vehicle facing a red light must stop before entering the intersection and must remain stopped until a green light or flashing yellow is shown.”What should I do if I receive a red light camera ticket?
The penalty for running a red light in the District of Columbia is $150. In addition to the fine, you could have two points added to your driver’s record and you will likely see an increase in your insurance premium. These are exactly the same as the fines for violations issued by a police officer.
You have two choices if you’re the recipient of a red light camera ticket in the District of Columbia: you can pay the fine or you can contest the ticket. Both options have pros and cons, so we’ll review each one.
How to pay a red light camera ticket
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of fighting the ticket, you can pay the fine online, by mail, or in person at the address listed on the ticket.
How to fight a red light camera ticket
Fighting a red light camera ticket can be challenging in places like the District of Columbia because even if you weren’t the driver, you, as the registered vehicle owner, are still responsible for paying the citation. Liability cannot be transferred to the person who was driving at the time of the violation. Still, there are ways in which you can contest the citation.
If you had no choice to run the red light or suspect that the photo was taken by accident, you can fight the ticket. Three common ways to fight a red light camera ticket in the District of Columbia are to:
- Request proof that the camera was functioning properly: If you can prove that the camera was malfunctioning, you could have your ticket dismissed.
- Explain you were instructed to run the red light: Perhaps you were part of a funeral procession or a law enforcement officer directed you to pass through the light. If you can prove that this was the case, your ticket may be dismissed.
- Argue that you ran the red light in order to avoid greater harm: Sometimes it’s necessary to run a red light to prevent an accident or to make way for an emergency vehicle.
If you can afford to hire an attorney, it could increase the chances of your ticket being dismissed, but always factor in the cost of legal assistance versus the amount of the fine.
How does a red light camera work?
The sensors in traffic lights are used by red light cameras to capture photo and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection once the light has turned red. If you go through a red light in front of one of these cameras, the system will photograph your vehicle and record your license plate number along with the following information:
- Date and time of the incident
- Vehicle speed
- Location
- Amount of time since the light turned red
Nearly all red light cameras are owned by third-party companies who send the footage and data from the camera to the respective law enforcement agency. Red light camera tickets are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The notice that comes in the mail must include the date, time, and location of the violation and copies of the photographs.
A 2019 study by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
found that red light cameras decreased fatal crashes at intersections in major cities by 14%. Because of this success rate, many states and locales allow cities to utilize red light cameras for traffic enforcement. “I’m pretty new to driving and I got a couple tickets. Still,Jerryhelped me find insurance easily. Thank you!” —Angela K.
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Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
Can I contest a red light camera ticket if I was not driving the vehicle?
Unfortunately, no. In the District of Columbia, the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for paying photo enforcement citations. Liability cannot be transferred to the person driving the vehicle.
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