Q&A - Red Light Cameras

Question: What are the technical details surrounding the use of red light cameras at intersections?  Would you could explain for the general public the technicalities of red light camera usage and exactly when they should or should not worry about getting a ticket?

I always thought that if I entered the intersection legally during a green light to make a left hand turn but was forced to wait until at least the yellow light, I was not going to get a red light camera ticket. However even I am not sure I am completely correct.

I think that I have entered the intersection when my vehicle passes the stop line on the asphalt. Past that stop line point I am "in" the intersection and did not 'enter' the intersection on either the yellow or the red light.

Do these cameras make people even more prone to charging ahead on a left turn light when they think that they may be dinged with a ticket from the red light cameras?

Answer

It isn't difficult to find information on where cameras are installed or advice on how to deal with tickets issued by red light cameras.

Designated Red Light Cameras

A little digging in the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations will find a list of designated red light cameras that are approved for use in BC.

For red light and speed violations:

• REDFLEX-HALO-FIXED-1.3-12MPDUAL

For red light only violations:

• REDFLEXred-MK4-HDX-200-1100-RLC
• REDFLEXred-MK6-HDX-200-1100-RLC
• REDFLEX-HALO-FIXED-1.3-12MPDUAL
• REDFLEXred-MK7-HDX-200-1100-RLC

Redflex Camera Video

The systems use either sensing loops in the pavement or cameras to recognise a vehicle that is not stopping once the light has turned red. 

Two pictures are taken of the vehicle, one outside of the intersection showing the red light the driver is facing and one inside the intersection contrary to the red light.

If you have conducted your left turn properly, you have nothing to fear from the camera. It knows that you are in the intersection when the light turns red and disregards your vehicle.

Where Does the Intersection Start?

The Motor Vehicle Act deems that you are in the intersection once you have passed the lateral extension of the curb lines, or in the abscence of curbing, the edges of the roadway. This generally does not correspond with the stop line or painted crosswalk, if any. ICBC takes the same view on a driver's test according to this topic.

Increase in Rear End Collisions

From what I have learned by reading about red light cameras drivers tend to slam on the brakes to avoid getting a red light camera ticket. This means that there is a reduction in intersection crashes but an increase in rear end collisions.

This says something about safe following distances and how much attention other drivers pay to what is happening around them. It's probably a good trade as side impact collisions produce significant injury and death more often than rear end collisions.

Learn More

You can see examples of red light camera photos and more information on ICBC's web site. 

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