red light camera ticket is a class C misdemeanor that could warrant fines of up to $50 or even up to 30 days in jail. While people are rarely arrested for red light camera tickets, learning to fight unjust citations is generally in your best interest.

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Are red light cameras legal in Tennessee?

Red light cameras are legal in Tennessee. However, red light cameras must come equipped with signs informing drivers that they’re being recorded.

The footage recorded by red light cameras can be used in court to determine your guilt or innocence on any given charge. Of course, they’ll most often be used to decide whether drivers ignored basic traffic rules like:

Stopping at a red light

Respecting the right of way

Coming to a complete stop when indicated

If you’d like to find out whether there are any red light cameras in your area, call your city government and ask.

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

Running a red light in Tennessee can earn you the following penalties:

Up to $50 in fines—plus around $100 in court fees

Maximum of 30 days in jail

Demerit points on your license

Although jail time is uncommon for class C misdemeanors, you could easily be arrested if your driving is classified as reckless.

Once you’re charged with a traffic infraction in Tennessee, you’ll have two options: pay the fines or fight the ticket. Depending on your situation, either of these options may be more or less appealing.

MORE:

Tennessee speeding tickets

How to pay a red light camera ticket

Fighting a ticket can take immense time and resources. So if you’d rather pay the fine, you can do so in person, by mail, or over the phone. Depending on your county, you may even be able to pay online—but you’ll need to check your county website to find out if that’s possible.

If you can’t afford to pay the fine, you can also request a mitigation hearing. If the court rules in your favor you could get one of three outcomes:

Your fee could be lowered

You could be assigned community service in lieu of a fine

You may be able to work out a payment plan

Remember, it’s always better to communicate with the court about your issues. They’ll generally be able to accommodate your needs!

How to fight a red light camera ticket

If you have the time and resources to do so, you may also want to fight the ticket. There are typically two ways to fight the fine:

Pay the fine and ask the court to drop the charges from your record

Fight the charge itself

While the first option is ideal for people with clean records who aren’t sure they’re innocent. The second option is best for people who know they can prove their innocence.

If you choose to fight the ticket entirely, you must request a court date and build a case for your innocence. Since navigating traffic law can be challenging, it may even be worthwhile to hire an attorney if the charges are too severe.

How does a red light camera work?

Red light cameras are installed at intersections and run 24/7. That way, the camera can catch photo and video evidence of any traffic violations that occur in the area.

If you run a red light, turn at the wrong time, or even forget to turn on your blinkers, the camera will record the moment and mark it with the following:

Time of the incident

Date of the infraction

Vehicle’s speed

Location

Vehicle’s license plate number

Red light cameras are typically owned and managed by private companies. The organization sends all the footage they collect to law enforcement groups, who use it to charge drivers with traffic infractions.

While they may seem irritating for drivers on the road, the

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

discovered that red light cameras reduced fatal intersection accidents in big cities by 14%. So even though the cameras sometimes put drivers on edge, they keep intersections much safer than they otherwise would be.

MORE:

The traffic tickets that have the greatest effect on your car insurance rates

How to find affordable car insurance in Tennessee

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How do I know if a red light camera ticket is real?

If you’re charged with running a red light, you’ll typically be notified by mail. So try to remain cautious of any notifications you receive by phone or email. If you’re concerned the charge may be a scam, call your local DMV and ask them to verify the citation.

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