Indiana Red Light Camera
Although Indiana doesn’t use red light cameras, running a red light will add four points to your driving record and could cost you up to $500.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Although
Indiana
doesn’t use red light cameras, a ticket for running a red light could cost you up to $500 and add four points to your driving record.Currently, 22 states use red light cameras to capture evidence of traffic violations at intersections. Indiana isn’t one of them—but a red light ticket in Indiana could still land you a hefty fine, depending on the context of the violation.
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Are red light cameras legal in Indiana?
As of 2022, red light cameras are not used in Indiana.
Recently, Indiana legislators have considered laws that would allow cameras to penalize speeding drivers, but they would mostly apply to work zones on the road. The main purpose of red light cameras is to prevent speeding and collisions at busy city intersections.
What should I do if I receive a ticket for running a red light?
You have two options for responding to a red light ticket: pay the ticket or fight the ticket. The penalty that you face will depend on which route you choose, so we’ll walk you through both choices and let you pick the best one for you.
How to pay a red light ticket
If you want to deal with the ticket as soon as possible, you can
pay your traffic ticket
online, by phone, or in person at the address listed on your ticket. You’ve got 60 days to pay the ticket after receiving it, so it’s best to take care of it while it’s fresh in your mind.Be sure to have your ticket number ready if you pay by phone.
Generally, the fine for running a red in Indiana isn’t too steep—if you choose to pay it, it’ll probably set you back $35.50 or less. Still, if you don’t want the ticket and
demerit points
to go on your driving record
, you could opt to fight it instead.How to fight a red light ticket
Because Indiana doesn’t use red light cameras, you won’t be able to show that the traffic camera was malfunctioning—but you can still fight the ticket by gathering evidence that proves that you were wrongly ticketed.
The first step to fighting the ticket is to sign “Deny/Denial” on the ticket and then mail it back to the traffic court within 60 days of receiving it.
Before you choose to contest the ticket in court, though, you should take a look at the penalty structure for red light violators who fight their ticket and lose:
- If it’s your first violation in five years, the maximum fine is $35.50
- If it’s your second violation in five years, the maximum fine is $250.50
- If it’s your third violation (or more) in five years, the maximum fine is $500
If you still want to fight the ticket, you’ll need to gather whatever evidence you can—camera footage, witness reports, etc.—to demonstrate that you didn’t actually run the red. Another option is to argue that you did run the red, but it was to avoid greater harm.
To get a better sense of your options, hire a traffic lawyer to help you fight the ticket.
Key Takeaway: In Indiana, you can pay your red light ticket online, by phone, or in person. You can also choose to fight the ticket by gathering evidence that shows that you weren't guilty of running the red.
Can I lose my license for running a red light?
It’s unlikely that you’ll lose your
Indiana driver's license
for running a red light. In most cases, running a red will only add four points to your driving record—and you’ll need to accumulate 18+ points within two years to face a license suspension
.Even if you see the points on your driving record creeping upwards, don’t sweat it! You may be able to complete a state-approved driving safety course to remove four points from your record.
If your red light violation was coupled with another violation (like
reckless driving
), your points could stack up pretty quickly and you might face more severe penalties. For the typical scenario, though—maybe you were distracted while driving
and missed the light change—you’ll be able to hold onto your license.How does a red light camera work?
Red light cameras capture photos and video footage of vehicles that enter an intersection after the light turns yellow. They’re paired with the sensors in traffic lights, so they know when the light switches. If you run a red, the camera will snap a picture of your car and license plate number, plus some extra information:
- Date and time
- How fast you were going
- Location
- How long the light had been red when you entered the intersection
Law enforcement agencies can review this footage when deciding whether to issue a ticket for running a red, making an illegal turn, or committing another traffic violation.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
How do I know if a red light camera ticket is real?
Since Indiana doesn’t use red light cameras, you should be wary of any “red light camera” tickets that you see in the mail. If you receive a ticket that seems suspicious or asks for confidential information, call the court to make sure that it’s legit.
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