Speed Camera Locations

Camera Red Light!

What is a red light camera?

A red light camera is a camera system that is connected to a traffic signal, it monitors when the traffic signal turns red. A sensor connected to the camera red light also monitors traffic flow. After the traffic signal has turned red for a preset time the camera system is then triggered by any vehicle that enters the intersection. Many camera systems are setup to provide a 0.5s grace period. After this period a violation will trigger the camera red light and a series of photos and/or video will record the vehicle entering the intersection whilst the red light is show, as well as the vehicle travelling through the intersection. In addition the camera red light will record the time, date and elapsed time since the red light. Often systems will record vehicle speed and license plate if equipped. Violators will then be sent a traffic ticket which is mailed to the owner of the vehicle.

What is running a red light?

If a motorist enters an intersection a period of time after the traffic signal has turned red, the motorist is deemed to have “run a red light” or to be a “red light runner” . If a motorist is already inside the intersection when the traffic signal turns red (ie: waiting to turn left) they are not considered a violator.

What safety benefits do camera red lights provide?

Camera red lights have been shown to substantially reduce traffic signal violations. Studies have shown that camera red light enforcement reduced “red light running” violations by about 40 percent. As well as reducing violations at intersections equipped with cameras, violation are reduced in the near by community, even those intersections not equipped with red light cameras.

In addition studies have shown that crashes at intersections are reduced with the presence of camera red lights. Front/side collisions, the most common type of accident due to running a red light, were reduced by 32 percent overall. Some studies also indicate that rear-end collisions increase slightly. However because crashes prevented tend to be far more severe than a rear-end collision the overall benefit is positive.

How to find red light camera locations?

Here at SpeedCameraPOI.com, with the aid of our userbase we are building a community generated database of POI or geographic location information, this includes camera red light.

The information collected is offered in popular formats for common GPS devices. You can download free red light camera location data formatted for popular GPS navigation devices. We also offer speed camera, traffic camera, police speedtraps and mobile radar data.