Craig Rosenbaum | November 23, 2022 | Car Accidents
No matter what area of New York City you live in, red light cameras and automated traffic enforcement can be a real pain. After all, they are seemingly everywhere, scattered throughout the city and ready to take a photo of your license plate.
Although they can be annoying, these cameras dissuade people from running red lights, which can cause car and pedestrian accidents. If you have questions about traffic and red light cameras in NYC, here is what you need to know.
The Truth About Red Light Cameras
Red light camera violations in NYC are reviewed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If an alleged violation is discovered, DOT will mail out a notice of liability to the vehicle’s owner. It is important to know that the onus of liability always falls on the owner of the vehicle, not on the driver who allegedly committed the infraction.
Red Light Cameras and Driving Points
As far as driving records are concerned, a red light camera ticket does not leave any points on the vehicle owner’s driving record.
How Red Light Cameras Work
When the light turns red, the camera is activated by a sensor if a vehicle crosses the crosswalk lines. Owners of vehicles that do not stop could be sent a notice of liability along with a picture of their car as it passed under the light.
If you get a ticket, there should be a link where you are able to view any evidence against you. If you receive multiple red light camera tickets on a single day, each one is enforced separately.
The notice of liability will contain the following information:
- Date the violation occurred
- Time of violation
- Photos of violation
- Timeline of when the light turned red
- Location of camera
- Street lane where the camera was triggered
The photos of the alleged violation will be displayed in sequence. The first one will be of the vehicle passing through the crosswalk. The second will be the vehicle after it passes through the intersection. The final photo will be a close-up of the vehicle’s license plate.
Hours of Operation
From 2019 until August 1st, New York City’s red light cameras were active only from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. However, after August 1st, the city began around-the-clock enforcement. This new strategy was recently approved by state lawmakers and will remain in effect for three years.
In addition to ticketing drivers for running red lights, these cameras will also flag drivers that are traveling 11 miles per hour above the speed limit. So beware of driving with a lead foot — it could cost you.
The Cost of a Red Light Ticket
If your car is photographed by a red light camera, it usually takes about 30 days to receive a notice of liability. The cost of a red light traffic ticket is $50, plus a $4 processing fee if you elect to pay using a credit card.
What Happens if You Don’t Pay?
If you receive a red light traffic ticket, the city expects a response within 30 days. If the notice is not responded to within 30 days, the city will assess an additional $25 penalty fee. If the ticket still needs to be paid, a final notice is sent after 30 days. Once those 30 days are up, enforcement actions could be taken within 14 days.
The Price of Ignoring a Ticket
Ignoring a ticket can lead to fines and enforcement action being taken. If you have received a ticket that you want to dispute, it may be a good idea to hire an experienced attorney to advocate on your behalf.
Contact an Attorney if You’ve Been in a Red or Yellow Light Accident
If you’ve been in an accident due a driver running a red light, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation to discuss your red and yellow light accident claim.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City car accident lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007