Avoiding the Red Light Camera Smackdown

Red light cameras are seemingly everywhere these days and though they can be real nuisances, there are ways to avoid getting tickets while following the law and not worrying about every single intersection. 

The first thing you can do is some investigation. Are there red light cameras in your neighborhood? You don't have to cautiously drive around town visually looking for them. Instead, check out the database on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's website. This will show you if there are red light cameras in your state and local community. You can even see what kinds of photographs they take. Some take photos of the license tags while others take photos of the driver. Learn about what fines and fees are associated with breaking the rules at intersections with these cameras. 

Now that you're aware of the red light camera situation in your neighborhood, be a more mindful driver. You don't have to crawl everywhere, but you should be careful and make some adjustments to how you deal with intersections. For instance, you shouldn't make rolling stops when approaching a right turn. This is one of the most common reasons people get tickets from red light cameras. People think they stopped at the red light before turning, but in reality, they only slowed down. In short, make sure you come to a full stop before turning. 

Should you find yourself with a ticket due to a violation at an intersection with a red light camera there may be something you can do. You can fight the ticket, if you wish, because the traffic laws in some states aren't all that clear. Several companies exist solely to provide people with written defenses against their red light camera tickets. There's even a lot of information online about how to fight tickets. However, you might fare better if your offense was a rolling stop rather than blatantly running a red light. 

Other more unsavory tactics exist as well that aren't exactly legal. Some people spray a substance on their license plates to prevent the cameras from picking up the number. However, this is not recommended and may not be legal in your state. It's best to err on the side of caution in these matters and just follow the law. 

When it comes to dealing with red light cameras, it's best to follow the traffic and safety laws as best you can. Sure, it might seem ridiculous to be fined for making a rolling stop, but the idea is to promote an environment that's overall safer for all drivers. What might seem silly in the short-term might save a life in the long-term. After all, we all share the road. It might be a good idea to be a safe and courteous driver.