Does California Have Red Light and Speed Cameras?

Key Takeaways:

• Red light and speed cameras are active in parts of California

• • Both are legal in 2025, though speed cameras are limited to six pilot cities. Red-light systems operate statewide under strict signage, calibration, and evidence rules.
  • Knowing how and where these cameras operate can help you avoid costly fines and protect your driving record.

• Camera footage can play a big role in accident cases

• • It can prove fault, back up witness statements, and challenge false claims. Car accident lawyers can use it to strengthen negotiations and build stronger cases against insurers.

• An experienced California car accident lawyer can help use camera evidence effectively

• • They can move quickly to secure footage before it’s lost, challenge its accuracy, and present it in the most favorable way. With legal guidance, camera data can become a powerful asset in securing fair compensation.

California’s Red Light & Speed Cameras: What Drivers Should Know

You’re cruising down a California street when the light turns yellow. You ease through, but a quick burst of white light flashes from the corner of the intersection. For the rest of the drive, you can’t help wondering, was that a camera? Will a ticket show up in your mailbox in a couple of weeks?

Many drivers ask: Where are these cameras, how do they work, and are the tickets even enforceable? You’ll learn what to watch for, how these systems operate, and how footage from them can come into play in accident cases.

Are Red Light and Speed Cameras Legal in California?

As of 2025, the short answer is yes; both types of cameras have legal footing in California, but the rules differ.

Red light cameras are authorized under Vehicle Code § 21455.5. Cities must post clear warning signs before intersections, keep the equipment calibrated, and follow strict evidence standards. Citations require photo and video proof that you entered the intersection after the signal turned red.

A new measure, Senate Bill 720, gives cities the option to issue civil violations through a Safer Streets Program. These carry a $100 flat fee, avoid DMV points, and won’t raise insurance rates. SB 720 also removes the requirement to include a driver’s face photo on citations.

Speed cameras operate under a more limited rollout. Under Assembly Bill 645, passed in October 2023, California launched a five-year pilot program that runs through 2032. Only six jurisdictions can use them: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, and Long Beach. These cities must adopt a Speed Safety System Use Policy, give the public notice, run a 60-day warning period before ticketing begins, and protect driver data under strict privacy rules.

So if you’ve been wondering, does California have red light cameras or does California have speed cameras, the answer is yes, just with a lot of conditions.

How Red Light Cameras Work

Red-light cameras don’t snap a photo every time someone rolls through a green. They’re triggered only when a vehicle crosses the stop line after the light has already turned red.

When activated, the system records several key details:

• Your license plate number
• A clear image of the driver’s face (unless issued under the SB 720 civil violation rules)
• The date, time, and exact location of the violation
• A short video clip showing the approach and entry into the intersection

Without clear, admissible evidence, the citation can be challenged and possibly dismissed under state law.

If you’re the registered owner, you’ll usually get the citation in the mail within about 15 days. The notice will include instructions to view the evidence online or request it directly from the enforcing agency. You have the right to review it, question its accuracy, or contest it in court. In many cases, an improperly posted sign, a technical malfunction, or unclear images can work in your favor.

How Speed Cameras Work

Speed cameras in California’s pilot cities don’t guess your speed; they measure it with precision. These systems use radar or in-ground sensors to detect when a vehicle exceeds the posted limit. If you’re over the threshold, the camera captures a photo of your rear license plate only. No face imagery is allowed under AB 645, a safeguard built into the law to address privacy concerns.

The process begins with warnings. If you’re caught driving 11–15 mph over the limit during the initial enforcement period, you’ll get a notice but no fine. After that, penalties kick in:

• $50 for 11–15 mph over
• $100 for 16–25 mph over
• $200 for 26–99 mph over
• $500 for 100+ mph

Low-income or indigent drivers can qualify for income-based fine reductions, making the penalties less burdensome.

Cities must follow strict procedures before activating these systems. Signs need to be posted at least 30 days ahead, a 60-day warning period is required, and each program must have a public Speed Safety System Use Policy and an annual impact report.

Where You’re Most Likely to See These Cameras

You won’t find red light and speed cameras scattered randomly across California. Cities place them where they’re most likely to deter dangerous driving and reduce crashes.

Here’s where you’re most likely to spot them:

• Busy intersections – Red light cameras often sit at high-traffic crossroads where running a red light can lead to severe collisions.
• High-accident zones – Speed cameras are placed along corridors with a documented history of frequent or serious crashes.
• School zones – Both systems are heavily used near schools to protect children during peak arrival and dismissal hours.
• Downtown areas in pilot cities – San Francisco, Oakland, and other AB 645 cities focus speed cameras in “high-injury network” streets where pedestrian and cyclist traffic is dense.
• Commercial or high-pedestrian districts – Cameras in shopping areas or entertainment hubs aim to slow traffic and protect people crossing the street.

If you commute through these areas regularly, it pays to know the locations. Many cities post interactive maps online so residents can check for active or planned camera sites before hitting the road.

What to Know About Tickets and Enforcement

Getting a ticket from a red-light or speed camera in California follows a set process, and knowing the details can help you decide your next move.

How Tickets Are Issued 

For both systems, citations are mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. They include photo evidence, a description of the violation, and instructions on how to view the footage. In pilot cities using speed cameras, you’ll receive warnings before the ticketing period officially starts.

Typical Costs of Fines 

A standard red light ticket can run about $486 or more once court fees and surcharges are added. Speed camera fines under AB 645 range from $50 to $500, depending on how far over the limit you were driving.

Impact on Your Driving Record 

Red-light violations add DMV points, which can raise insurance premiums. Speed camera tickets issued under the pilot program are treated as civil violations—no points and no insurance impact.

Failure to Pay Consequences 

Ignoring a citation can lead to added penalties or even a registration hold on your vehicle.

Options to Contest a Ticket 

You can dispute a citation if you believe the equipment malfunctioned, the required warning signs weren’t posted, the vehicle in the footage isn’t yours, or the system wasn’t calibrated correctly. Having clear grounds and supporting evidence improves your chances of getting it dismissed.

How Red Light and Speed Camera Evidence Can Affect Accident Cases

More than the traffic tickets, camera footage can become valuable evidence in car accident cases.

Proving Fault in a Crash 

Timestamps from red-light or speed camera footage can show exactly when a driver entered an intersection or how fast they were going. This helps establish who broke the traffic law.

Backing Up Witness Testimony 

Eyewitnesses can misremember events. Video provides an objective record that either confirms or challenges what people say they saw.

Supporting Injury Claims 

Footage showing a driver running a red or speeding right before impact can strengthen your claim for damages. It adds weight to arguments about the other driver’s negligence.

Challenging False Accusations 

Even under SB 720’s civil violation rules, camera footage can clear your name if another party blames you for a crash you didn’t cause.

Strengthening Negotiations with Insurers 

Insurance adjusters take hard evidence seriously. Your attorney can use camera data to pressure for a fair settlement instead of relying on conflicting statements alone.

When handled correctly, these images and clips can be a powerful part of your case strategy.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Camera Evidence

Cities may have strict retention schedules, privacy rules, and procedural steps before releasing it. A skilled car accident lawyer can navigate those obstacles for you.

Securing Footage Quickly 

Camera recordings don’t last forever; some are overwritten in as little as 30 days. An attorney knows how to file timely requests or subpoenas to preserve the evidence before it’s gone.

Challenging Evidence Accuracy 

Not all footage is flawless. Lawyers can question whether the camera was properly calibrated, if required signage was visible, or if the footage meets California’s legal standards for admissibility.

Presenting Evidence in Court or Negotiations 

You need to present the camera footage effectively. Attorneys frame the evidence to clearly show the other driver’s fault, making it harder for insurers or opposing counsel to dispute.

Protecting Against Insurance Company Tactics 

Insurers may try to use selective clips against you. A lawyer can put the footage in full context to prevent misleading interpretations.

Maximizing Compensation 

By combining camera evidence with accident reconstruction, medical records, and expert testimony, your attorney can build the strongest case possible for your recovery.

Know Your Rights Before the Light Turns Red

To protect your driving record and rights, it’s essential to understand how California utilizes red-light and speed cameras, including their placement, captured data, and evidentiary use. If you ever find yourself in a collision where camera footage plays a role, it helps to know the steps for how to obtain traffic camera video after a car accident in California, so valuable evidence isn’t lost.

If you’ve been injured in a crash and need a skilled car accident lawyer who knows how to leverage camera evidence to strengthen your claim, RMD Law can help. We have the experience, resources, and determination to secure the footage you need, counter insurance company tactics, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Contact us for a free case evaluation.