Although the city of Los Angeles no longer operates red light cameras, several cities and municipalities throughout Los Angeles County still do. Beverly Hills, Culver City, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (Los Angeles County), to name a few, still have very active red light camera enforcement programs. Call our traffic ticket attorneys today at (877) 667-1205 or submit our CONTACT form if you received a red light camera ticket in the mail.
Red Light Camera Tickets are Moving Violations
Vehicle Code Section 21453(a) carries one point if a driver is convicted. This section reads, in part, "a driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection..." A driver violates this section if he/she proceeds through an intersection when facing a red light. Similarly, Vehicle Code Section 21453(c) prohibits a driver from making a right hand turn on a "steady red arrow signal."
It is Not Illegal to Drive Through a Yellow Light
A driver may proceed through an intersection if the light is yellow. As long as the front of your vehicle passed the crosswalk or entered the intersection or limit line before the light turned red, it is not a violation. The yellow light is simply a "warning" that the light is going to soon turn red.
Requirements for Red Light Cameras
The California Vehicle Code lays out certain requirements for tickets issued by red light cameras. The cameras must be calibrated and inspected regularly to ensure that they are working properly. Signs that read "PHOTO ENFORCEMENT" must be posted on the roadways leading up to the red light camera intersection. Minimum yellow light durations must be followed. For example, if the speed limit is 35 mph the light must remain yellow for 3.6 seconds. The photo of the driver must also be "clear." If these requirements are not met, a good traffic ticket lawyer will get the ticket dismissed.
What if You are Not the Driver?
Red light camera tickets are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. If someone else is driving your car and runs a red light you will receive the ticket in the mail. Call us at (877) 667-1205 or submit our CONTACT form today if this happened to you.