Melissa | September 17, 2025 | Road Safety
Surveillance is the norm in California and the United States. It is difficult to walk into any store or down any public street without having your movements captured on camera. Red light and traffic cameras can be found throughout San Diego.
While you may have grown accustomed to their presence, breaking a law while being filmed by these cameras can lead to citations and fines.
Are Red Light Cameras and Traffic Cameras the Same?
Some people use the terms “red light camera” and “traffic camera” interchangeably; however, the two are technically distinct. Although both devices can be found throughout San Diego, their locations differ because they serve different purposes.
Red light cameras are about enforcing traffic laws and deterring drivers from violating them. Traffic cameras, on the other hand, are more about identifying dangerous traffic patterns so city planners can address them.
Traffic Cameras
A traffic camera is typically located along high-volume highways and roads and provides a live video feed to municipal authorities in charge of city traffic management. These cameras’ footage is useful for detecting traffic wrecks in real time so that first responders and clean-up crews can be dispatched quickly.
The footage is also useful for traffic planning for future road projects.
Red Light Cameras
Red light cameras can be found at busy and dangerous intersections throughout San Diego. When the camera detects a light changing from yellow to red, it will take a picture of any vehicle that continues to speed through the intersection despite the red light.
The registered owner of the vehicle will then receive a ticket that they can either pay or challenge in court.
Your Options After Receiving a San Diego Red Light Camera Ticket
You will not receive any sort of citation because of a traffic camera. However, if a red light camera captures your vehicle proceeding through an intersection, you will receive a citation in the mail.
The citation will tell you the amount you owe and when it must be paid by. Once you receive a red light camera ticket, you have a couple of options.
First, however, if you do not remember running a red light, you can view the camera’s photograph online or request a copy of it in the mail. Being able to review the image may help inform which option you will choose.
Pay the Ticket
If you believe you ran the red light or are convinced by the photographic evidence that you did, you can pay the ticket online. If you choose to pay the ticket, make sure to do so by the due date or request an extension to avoid paying additional penalties.
Contest the Ticket
If you are not the driver shown in the picture, or if you believe the camera malfunctioned, you can challenge the ticket. You can do so by paying the bail amount and either submitting a written declaration with supporting evidence or appearing in court and presenting your case.
Whatever choice you make, you must act by the date listed on the citation.
Other Uses for Red Light Cameras and Traffic Cameras
If you are injured in a crash along a busy highway or dangerous intersection, the video or photographic images from traffic cameras and red light cameras can be crucial evidence for your injury claim.
They can not only show the accident as it happened, but a driver’s payment of a red light ticket is tantamount to an admission that they did violate a red light.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Because building a successful injury claim for compensation takes time, and you only have two years within which to initiate your claim, retaining an experienced lawyer can be useful. An attorney can help you collect the evidence you need to support your case and pursue your claim on your behalf while you recover from your injuries.
To learn more and schedule a free consultation with a San Diego personal injury attorney, contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today.
