Traffic Camera Tickets In Pa: What You Need To Know

Pennsylvania has a number of traffic cameras that are used to monitor and enforce traffic laws. These include red light cameras and speed cameras, which are typically placed in areas with a high number of accidents or in work zones. The cameras are designed to improve road safety and reduce collisions by automatically issuing tickets to drivers who break the law. While the use of these cameras has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that they are primarily revenue-generating devices, others point to their success in reducing crashes and improving driver behaviour.

Red light cameras in Pennsylvania

Red light cameras are legal in Pennsylvania. Cities in the state can choose to install these cameras at intersections where car accidents are most common. The cameras are designed to reduce the chances of dangerous intersection collisions without the need for a large police presence.

Philadelphia, for example, has traffic cameras throughout the city and suburbs. The Red Light Camera program was enacted in 2005 by the Pennsylvania State Legislature after a report named certain intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard as among the most dangerous roads in the nation. All intersections with red-light cameras have seen immediate and substantial reductions in red-light-running violations.

If you run a red light in Pennsylvania, you will receive a ticket in the mail with a fine of $100. This may not be the only penalty. If you pay the ticket, you will plead guilty and pay the fine. However, you can plead not guilty and challenge the ticket in court if you believe you received it in error or if someone else was driving your car.

Red light camera tickets in Pennsylvania do not result in points on your license. This is different from a ticket issued by a law enforcement officer for the same infraction, which would carry points.

If you believe you received a red light ticket unfairly, you can request a hearing to present your case to a traffic court judge. Although you are not required to have an attorney, representation can improve your chances of a positive outcome or a dismissal.

If you do not pay your red light camera ticket, it can be sent to a collection agency, and you may owe late fees and collection fees.

Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras

Pennsylvania's Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras (WZSSCs) are a joint initiative by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). The program aims to reduce work zone speeds, improve driver behaviour, and enhance safety for workers and motorists. The cameras are installed in work zones throughout the state and are selected through a data-driven process to maximise their effectiveness.

The WZSSCs are vehicle or apparatus-based systems that detect the speed of passing vehicles. If a vehicle is travelling 11 miles per hour (mph) or more over the speed limit, the system captures images of the vehicle's front and rear, along with relevant information such as speed, location, date, and time. This information constitutes a violation, which is then transferred to a back-office system to identify the registered owner. After necessary checks, a notice of violation is mailed to the owner, with the first offence resulting in a warning and no financial penalty. Subsequent offences carry fines of $75 for the second violation and $150 for the third and later violations.

The WZSSC systems are required by law to undergo annual recalibration and recertification, with daily self-tests to ensure proper functioning. Additionally, PSP conducts random field speed verification to ensure accurate speed detection. Signs are posted in advance of enforcement areas to alert drivers to the presence of the cameras.

The fines collected from the program are used to cover expenditures, and any excess revenue is allocated by PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission for improvement projects, enforcements, and countermeasures to enhance work zone and highway safety.

The WZSSC program is designed to promote safety in work zones by modifying driver behaviour and reducing speeds. It complements existing enforcement measures and prioritises the well-being of both workers and travellers.

Fines for speeding violations

Pennsylvania has red light cameras installed at busy intersections in some cities, such as Philadelphia, to reduce the chances of dangerous collisions without requiring a large police presence. If a camera catches a driver breaking a traffic law, they will receive a ticket in the mail. For example, running a red light will result in a ticket with a $100 fine.

Speeding violations can also be detected by these cameras and are subject to fines and demerit points. The fine for most speeding violations is $35, plus $2 for every mile exceeding 5 miles per hour over the speed limit. If the maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour or higher, the fine is $42.50 plus $2 for every mile exceeding 5 miles per hour over the limit. When a motorist exceeds a school zone limit by more than 11 miles per hour, the fine can be as high as $500.

Speeding violations carry the following number of license points:

• 2 points: Basic speed law violations and exceeding a speed limit by up to 10 miles per hour.
• 3 points: Speeding in a school zone or exceeding a speed limit by 11 to 15 miles per hour.
• 4 points: Exceeding a speed limit by 16 to 25 miles per hour.
• 5 points: Exceeding a speed limit by at least 26 miles per hour.

Drivers who accumulate too many points may face consequences such as having to take a driver improvement course or even license suspension. Additionally, a speeding violation can lead to a "reckless driving" conviction, which carries penalties of up to 90 days in jail, a $200 fine, and a six-month license suspension for a standard first offense.

Disputing a speeding ticket

Pennsylvania has a points system, where drivers accumulate points on their driving record for certain types of offenses. These points can add up, and even minor violations can threaten your driver's license and auto insurance coverage if you are found guilty over a short period of time.

If you want to fight a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania, here are some steps you can take:

• Know when to fight: It is rarely a good idea to argue with the police officer who is issuing you the ticket. Comply with their requests and respond without embellishment.
• Protect your driver's license: Certain non-DUI moving violations can result in the suspension of your driver's license. For example, in Pennsylvania, passing a school bus with flashing red lights will result in an automatic 60-day license suspension. Speeding in active work zones also often carries the risk of a driver's license suspension.
• Add up the points: Understand the point system in Pennsylvania and the specific consequences of the violation you have been charged with. The more serious the violation or the higher the speed, the more points will be deducted from your license.
• Know the secret code: There is a loophole to Pennsylvania's driver's license point system under the moving violation code Section 3111, which covers obedience to traffic control devices. This code carries no points, so even though the driver pays a fine, they avoid the costs associated with increased auto insurance rates and an at-risk license.
• Let a lawyer drive your case: A lawyer will be able to assess your overall driving record and points and review the alleged incident for possible problems with traffic control and enforcement devices.

It is important to act quickly if you want to dispute a speeding ticket. In Pennsylvania, you have ten calendar days to respond to the magisterial district court with your decision to fight or dispute the ticket. If you do not respond within ten days, you may face additional penalties, including a driver's license suspension and further fines.

Locations of speed cameras

In Pennsylvania, cities may choose to install red light cameras at intersections where car accidents are most common. While Harrisburg does not have any, Philadelphia has traffic cameras throughout the city and suburbs.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has placed speed safety cameras along eight dangerous stretches of highway on Roosevelt Boulevard as part of their Vision Zero Campaign. The cameras are programmed to take photographs of any speeding vehicle's license plate along with a short video if the vehicle is travelling 11 mph or more over the speed limit. The locations of these cameras are:

• Roosevelt Boulevard & Banks Way
• Roosevelt Boulevard & F Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Deveraux Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Harbison Avenue
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Pratt Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Strahle Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard & 9th Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Grant Avenue
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Red Lion Road
• Roosevelt Boulevard & Southampton Road

Signs are installed to communicate the presence of speed cameras, and all speed zones with a speed safety camera are marked with adequate signage.

Frequently asked questions