Florida Red Light Cameras

You could be charged upwards of $150 if a Florida red light camera captures footage of your car running a red light.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Edited by R.E. Fulton
A red light camera ticket in
Florida
could cost upwards of $150, so it’s important to know your options for fighting a citation. 
  • Red light cameras are legal in Florida, and many cities use them to issue citations.
  • The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported over 1 million red light camera violation notices between 2021 and 2022. 
  • You might receive a red light camera citation for speeding, running a red light, or turning without making a complete stop.
  • You have the option to pay the fine or contest the ticket. 
Yes. In 2018, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in
Jimenez v. State
that red light cameras are legal and may be used in the interest of public safety. Despite the ruling, not all counties and cities in Florida—like the city of Miami, for example—utilize red light cameras to issue citations, but many still do. 
The police departments in the following cities use red light cameras to ticket motorists:
Always check with your city government to see if red light cameras are in operation in your hometown. 

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

The minimum penalty for running a red light in Florida is $158. If you don’t pay within 30 days after the first mailed notification, your fine will increase all the way to $277. However, you may be able to reduce your fine by taking a basic driver improvement (BDI) course. 
You have two choices if you receive a red light camera notice of violation in Florida: you can pay the fine, or you can contest the ticket. Both approaches have advantages and drawbacks, so we’ll go over 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. The good news is that if you pay on time and this is your first red light camera ticket, the violation will not go on your driver’s record. 
However, if you miss this deadline, not only will your fine increase, but you will also incur additional costs and three points on your driving record. Continuing to ignore the citation can result in the suspension of your license, even higher fines, plus the fee of
reinstating your driver’s license
.

How to fight a red light camera ticket

Before you pull out your checkbook or retrieve your credit card to pay the fine, consider whether or not you can successfully contest the ticket. The facts may be on your side! Below are five common ways to fight a red light camera ticket: 
  • Request proof that the camera was functioning properly: If you can prove that the camera malfunctioned, you could get the ticket dismissed. 
  • Prove that you were not the driver: If someone other than you was operating the vehicle when the violation occurred, you are not liable for the ticket—but you’ll need to fill out an affidavit to get it 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. 
  • You were making a right turn: Red light camera tickets generally can't be issued in the state of Florida if you turn
    right on red
    in a "careful and prudent" manner.
To make any of these arguments, you’ll need to request a hearing with a local hearing officer to make your case. 
If you can afford to hire a traffic ticket attorney, it could increase the chances of your ticket being dismissed, but always factor in the price of legal assistance and court costs versus the amount of the fine.
Gather your evidence carefully and assemble witnesses, if possible, before trying to fight a red light camera ticket. 

How does a red light camera work?

Red light cameras use the sensors in traffic signals to capture photo and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection once the light has turned red. If you go run a red light in at an intersection with a red light camera, the system will photograph your vehicle and record your license plate number along with the following information: 
  • Date and time of the incident 
  • 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. Police officers then review the footage to determine if any infractions have occurred. 
Red light camera tickets are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The red light camera violation that comes in the mail must include the date, time, and location of the violation and copies of the photographs.
A 2019 study by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
found that red light cameras reduced fatal crashes at intersections in major cities by 14%. Due to this success rate and improved traffic safety, many states allow cities to utilize red light cameras for traffic enforcement.  
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FAQS

Quite a few Florida cities use American Traffic Solutions to process red light camera tickets. Call 1-866-225-9975 to ask whether or not your car was seen violating Florida traffic laws.
You’ll receive a violation notice by mail within 30 days. You’ll have 60 days from the initial mailing to pay the ticket. If the due date passes, a uniform traffic citation will be mailed to you.
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