Elk Grove began its new red light camera enforcement system on December 21, 2007. The program is seen by City officials as an important step to improve the safety and flow of local traffic in our community. Red light cameras have been installed at the following locations:
- Elk Grove Florin Road and Bond Road
- Elk Grove Blvd. and Bruceville Rd
- Laguna Boulevard and Franklin Boulevard
- Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road
- Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Springs Drive
Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., an Arizona-based provider of traffic safety photo enforcement will be the administrator of Elk Grove's red light camera enforcement system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is captured by the red light camera system?
The "Redflex" red light camera systems consist of a digital still camera and one digital video camera. These systems are able to capture multiple digital still images of the violation including the license plate of the violator's vehicle and facial image of the driver. In addition, the system captures a twelve (12) second digital video clip of the violation (six seconds preceding the violation and six seconds post violation).
I received a citation. How can I view the photo?
All red light violators at these intersections will receive citations in the mail. Upon receiving the citation, the violator will have the opportunity to pay the fine, contest the citation, or view a twelve (12) second video of the violation available at www.photonotice.com. Anyone who has received a citation can come to the Elk Grove Police Department (8400 Laguna Palms Way) during regular business hours to view the video of the violation.
What constitutes running a red light?
A violation occurs when a motorist deliberately enters an intersection after the signal light has turned red. Motorists who are already in an intersection when the signal changes to red, while waiting to turn, for example, will not be ticketed.
Isn't conventional police enforcement sufficient?
Enforcing traffic laws in dense urban areas by traditional means poses special difficulties and dangers for police, who in most cases must follow a violating vehicle through a red light to stop it. This can endanger other motorists and pedestrians also, and police can't be everywhere at once.
Communities unfortunately do not have the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket all red light runners, but red light camera systems work 24/7 and free police to focus on other enforcement needs.
Do the cameras photograph every vehicle passing through an intersection?
No. The cameras photograph only those vehicles that enter an intersection after the light has turned red. Drivers who enter on yellow and find themselves in an intersection when the light changes to red aren't photographed. This technology is intended to catch vehicles driven by motorists who intentionally enter an intersection well after the signal has turned red.
Does someone review the citation before it is issued?
Yes. A trained Police Officer or Community Service Officer will review each citation before it is issued to ensure that the vehicle is in violation. Tickets are mailed to vehicle owners only in cases where it's clear the vehicle ran the red light and where the photographed driver's gender matches that of the licensed owner or a licensed driver in their household. In addition, a photo red light citation is a valid traffic ticket, per California Vehicle Code 21455.5.
Do red light cameras unreasonably violate privacy?
No. Most people agree that driving on public roads is a regulated activity not just a right. By obtaining a license, motorists agree to abide by certain rules - to obey traffic signals, for example. Neither the law nor common sense suggests that drivers shouldn't be observed on the road or have their violations documented. When citations are issued, the only recognizable person in the photos is the driver - all passenger's faces have been carefully blocked out.
Do red light cameras improve public safety?
Yes, they've been proven to reduce red light
violations, intersection crashes and injuries. Violations usually fall by around 40 percent or more in the
first year. In Oxnard, CA, they fell 42 percent in four months. In Fairfax VA, they dropped 44 percent in
the first year, and also fell 34 percent at other non-camera intersections as motorists became generally
aware of the need for safe driving. Records of accidents and serious injuries show falls of 10 percent or
more.
In Scottsdale, AZ, after four years of photo enforcement, 70 percent of young drivers report driving more
carefully than they would in other cities without traffic cameras.
Are they fair?
Yes. If you don’t run the red light, you won’t be photographed or fined.
The cameras only start operating after the light has turned red. Drivers who enter on yellow and are still
in the intersection when the light changes to red aren't photographed. Most programs also require police
to check and authorize every ticket before it is issued to confirm a genuine violation has occurred.
Does the American public support the use of red light cameras?
Yes. Two 1995 surveys for
the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety revealed that 66 percent of people surveyed favored red light
cameras compared with only 28 percent who opposed.
Support is highest – 80 percent or more - in large cities and in communities that already use the systems.
Red Light Running and Urban Safety
Red light running is a significant safety concern in the United States. In 2002, red light violations contributed to hundreds of thousands of crashes, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Between 1992 and 2000, fatal crashes at traffic signals increased by nearly 20 percent, outpacing the growth of other types of fatal crashes. The public cost of these incidents exceeds $14 billion annually. Many of the victims are pedestrians or other motorists, highlighting the dangers posed by drivers who run red lights.
In urban areas, red light running is one of the leading causes of automobile crashes. Often, drivers interpret yellow lights as a signal to hurry rather than to slow down, increasing the risk of collisions.
Surveys indicate that most Americans (96 percent) fear being struck by a red light runner, yet a significant number admit to running red lights themselves. The most common reason cited for running red lights is simply being in a hurry.
How Automated Enforcement Works
Automated red light enforcement systems use cameras and sensors to detect violations. These systems are only active when the traffic signal is red, ensuring that non-violating vehicles are not recorded. Modern systems employ digital technology for accuracy and reliability.
The process generally involves three key steps:
- Detection: Sensors such as induction loops, radar, or video systems identify when a vehicle may be violating the signal.
- Timing: The system calculates the optimal moment to capture the violation.
- Capture: High-resolution digital cameras take images of the vehicle, including license plate information and, where legally required, the driver’s face. Some systems also record a short video sequence showing the violation.
Note: Any diagrams or video from the original source should not be used due to copyright restrictions. Instead, you can create simple graphics or descriptive text to illustrate the process.
Why Communities Use Red Light Cameras
Many cities face rising traffic volumes with limited law enforcement resources. Automated enforcement programs help supplement traditional traffic enforcement and encourage safer driving behavior. Traffic engineers also review collision data, signal timing, and other factors to improve both safety and traffic flow.
Before implementing a program, cities typically conduct studies of local crash and violation data. Non-enforcement measures, such as repainting crosswalks or adjusting yellow light durations, are often applied first. If additional intervention is needed, automated enforcement can be introduced in a regulated and transparent manner to enhance public safety.
Your local agency can provide more information on how automated enforcement programs operate and the measures taken to ensure compliance with state laws.
Red Light Camera Reports
If you need further assistance, email [email protected] or call (916) 478-8161.