James D. Payer | May 15, 2024 | Car Accidents
If you have ever driven around Florida, you have probably seen traffic cameras above the roadways. Some of them are located near traffic lights, while others are placed along major highways. While they may look physically similar, these two types of cameras serve very different purposes.
Traffic Camera vs. Red Light Camera
If the camera is located near a traffic light, it is likely a red light camera. The purpose of this type of camera is to detect when a driver runs a red light and issue the driver a ticket for that infraction.
A red light camera takes a picture of the vehicle that runs the red light, hopefully getting an image of the driver and the license plate. This allows the state to issue the owner of the vehicle a red light ticket.
Red light cameras aren’t only intended to punish offenders and get income for the state. The primary goal of these cameras is to prevent people from running red lights, reducing red light accidents and left-turn accidents.
Traffic cameras, conversely, don’t issue tickets. However, they are intended to decrease car wreck accidents. Traffic cameras stream continuous video that can be accessed online by the public.
This video feed allows drivers to determine where traffic is heaviest in the city and plan a route to avoid that traffic. Typically, since accidents are more common when traffic is heavier, these cameras can help drivers avoid driving in dangerous situations.
What To Do After Getting a Red Light Camera Ticket
When you get pulled over by a police officer, they record your contact information and issue you a ticket based on what they saw you do. However, there is no human being pulling you over when a red light camera snaps a photo of your car. This changes the situation.
First, you won’t even be aware you received a ticket until you get it in the mail days or even weeks later. Second, the ticket may not even be for you. If, for example, a family member was driving a car registered in your name, they should be the one receiving the ticket. So what should you do after you receive a ticket?
How you respond depends on the circumstances. You will receive photos along with the ticket, and you have the right to contest it in court if you wish. However, if you want to pay for an Orlando red light camera violation, the city makes it easy.
Florida issues roughly 1 million red light camera tickets every year. That is a lot of red tape. One way Orlando cuts down on that red tape is by offering a “pay ticket online” option for red light tickets.
Red Light Cameras and License Points
Another way Florida cuts back on the red tape of red light camera tickets involves license points. If you pay the fine of a red light ticket, you will not have points added to your license. This means that if you can afford the fine, it often isn’t worth fighting it.
Don’t Fear Red Light or Traffic Cameras
While red light cameras are designed to fine people who violate red light laws, they won’t cause your insurance rates to increase. Traffic cameras are purely there for your convenience. Rather than fear these eyes in the sky, you should realize they are there to lessen the chance of car accidents and make your life easier.
Contact the Orlando, FL Car Accidents Lawyers at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers.
For more information, please contact the Orlando personal injury law firm of Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today .
Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers
6735 Conroy Rd STE 332
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 871-6218