Georgia Red Light Cameras
You could be charged a maximum of $70 if a Georgia red light camera captures footage of your vehicle running a red light—but paying the fine isn’t the only option.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Amy Bobinger
The maximum fine for a red light camera ticket in Georgia is $70. This fee is low compared to other traffic fines, but don’t let that stop you from contesting it if you feel it was issued unfairly.
- Red light cameras are legal in Georgia and come with a maximum fine of $70 if you’re issued a ticket.
- These tickets are considered a civil violation rather than a moving/traffic violation, so they won’t affect your car insurance premium.
- If you’re issued a red light ticket, you can pay the fine or contest the ticket in court.
- Not every county in Georgia uses red light cameras, so check with your city government.
- Red light cameras are legal in Georgia and come with a maximum fine of $70 if you’re issued a ticket.
- These tickets are considered a civil violation rather than a moving/traffic violation, so they won’t affect your car insurance premium.
- If you’re issued a red light ticket, you can pay the fine or contest the ticket in court.
- Not every county in Georgia uses red light cameras, so check with your city government.
Are red light cameras legal in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia law permits the use of automated cameras at intersections to catch violators. The maximum fine for a red light camera ticket is $70. The good news is that red light camera tickets do not go on your
driving record
and won't affect your insurance rates
—and red light violations issued by a police officer come with a much steeper penalty.In addition to that, the state of Georgia mandates specific requirements on jurisdictions that use red light cameras, including:
- The jurisdiction must mail the notice of violation to the owner of the vehicle within ten days of when the violation occurred
- The notice must include the date, time, and location of the violation
- The notice must include a copy of the photograph showing the violation
Many major counties and cities throughout Georgia have installed red light cameras, including:
Always check with your city government to see if red light cameras operate in your hometown.
What should I do if I receive a red light camera ticket?
The maximum penalty for a red light camera ticket in Georgia is $70—but if you don’t pay or contest your ticket, you could be charged an additional $25 late fee every 30 days.
You have two choices if you receive a red light camera ticket in Georgia: you can pay the fine or contest the ticket. Both options have pros and cons, so we’ll review each.
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 red light camera tickets in Georgia do not add
points to your driver’s record
and won’t cause your car insurance to go up. That’s because they are considered a civil violation rather than a moving/traffic violation. 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 you might successfully contest the ticket.
Unfortunately, it can be tough to get out of it, even if someone else borrowed your car. Georgia law states that as the registered vehicle owner, you are responsible for the ticket even if you weren’t driving at the time of the violation.
But there are still ways you can fight a red light camera ticket. Below are the most common:
- Request proof that the camera was functioning properly: If you can prove that the camera malfunctioned, you could get the 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 to avoid greater harm: Sometimes, running a red light is necessary to prevent an accident or make way for an emergency vehicle.
If you can afford to hire an attorney, it could increase the chances of your traffic ticket being dismissed—but consider whether the cost of the fine is worth paying for legal services.
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 lights to capture photo and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection once the light has turned red. If you run a red light 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
- Vehicle speed
- Location
- Amount of time since the light turned red
Nearly all traffic cameras are owned by third-party companies that send the footage and data from the camera to the respective law enforcement agency. Red light camera tickets are then mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. The notice 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 and photo enforcement reduced fatal crashes at intersections in major cities by 14%. Due to this success rate, many states allow cities to utilize red light cameras for traffic enforcement. Are you overpaying for car insurance?
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