According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 1,000 fatalities in 2018 were the result of red-light-running collisions. The spiking accident numbers over the years have moved many states to crack down on safety by implementing red light cameras.

While these cameras have proven to be effective, not every state permits their usage. Regardless of how a traffic violation is captured, though, there are penalties for failing to stop where it’s signaled.

Since North Dakota requires a law enforcement officer to be present when a ticket is issued, it may be more challenging to contest the citation. Thankfully, the

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Are red light cameras legal in North Dakota?

There are 22 U.S. states that have established the use of red light cameras, but North Dakota isn’t one of them.

Since red light camera footage relies on captured data as opposed to real-time identification, North Dakota prohibits its use. It’s a requirement that law enforcement officers must identify the driver of the vehicle before a ticket can be issued.

North Dakota’s choice to opt out of red light cameras doesn’t mean drivers in the state are exempt from red-light-running tickets. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop in the following circumstances:

When approaching a flashing or solid red signal or stop sign

Before reaching a crosswalk

Before meeting a marked stop line

When entering an intersection

If a police officer witnesses a driver failing to abide by those rules, that driver will be issued a ticket with some hefty penalties.

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

Failure to completely stop at a red light or stop sign carries a fine between $20 and $100. While the fees aren’t astronomical, you’ll receive two demerit points on your driving record, which can raise your insurance costs.

Each incident is charged based on its severity, and in some cases, the red light offense could escalate to a reckless driving charge. Any situation in which a driver runs a red light or stop sign that results in the death of another driver or pedestrian will carry vehicular homicide charges.

Whether your case is fairly mild or more serious, you have the choice to either pay the ticket or challenge it. There are obstacles in each approach, and we’ll cover what you can expect in each.

How to pay a red light ticket

If you know your ticket is indisputable or want to avoid court appearances, you should know—paying the ticket will be considered a guilty plea.

You can either pay the fine online, by mail, or in person. If you move forward with this decision, keep these repercussions in mind:

You’ll receive two demerit points on your driving record

Your license will be up for suspension or revocation

Your car insurance rates will increase

It’s crucial to pay the ticket on time to avoid accruing further fees. Although you’ll be pleading guilty in this case, there are still options to plea bargain to reduce the penalties or attend a driver training course to reduce the points.

How to fight a red light ticket

If you feel as though your ticket was wrongly administered, you can contest it by pleading not guilty. This will mean showing up in court and either representing yourself or hiring an attorney.

While you’ll be responsible for paying the court and attorney fees, these are potential outcomes:

The penalties will be reduced or dropped if you’re found not guilty

You may lose the option to plea bargain for lesser penalties

You may pull out all the stops to argue your case in court and still be found guilty. The time and money you’ll spend fighting the ticket may just pile on to the penalties you’ll wind up with anyway, so proceed with caution when deciding to fight it.

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How does a red light camera work?

In states where they’re permitted, red light cameras are mounted over a roadway or installed on a law enforcement vehicle to capture traffic violations. These devices detect any risky behavior from running a red light to speeding.

Red light cameras are linked to an automated system that tracks several pieces of information, including:

License plate numbers

Light changes

Vehicle speeds

Time, date, and location

While red light cameras are prohibited in North Dakota, the state has come up with a tracking alternative. Omni Directional Law Enforcement Confirmation Lights (ODLECL) are blue lights that are installed at intersections. They start flashing when the signal turns red, which can help alert law enforcement if a driver runs the red light.

Since ODLECLs don’t capture footage of a driver running a red light, they won’t offer the same precision as red light cameras. However, their goal is to mitigate the number of traffic violations throughout the 100+ intersections in North Dakota.

MORE: Tips for an emergency stop

How to find affordable car insurance in North Dakota

If you’ve run a red light or stop sign, you’ll most like run into higher insurance premiums in North Dakota. Tickets and motor vehicle points are sure to raise rates, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead of higher payments before they happen.

When you spend just 45 seconds signing up for the broker app

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