Traffic Camera Tickets In Pennsylvania: What You Need To Know

Traffic camera tickets in Pennsylvania are issued for various violations, including running red lights and speeding. These automated systems are installed at busy intersections and work zones to improve road safety and reduce collisions. When a vehicle is travelling 11 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, or runs a red light, the traffic camera system captures images and related information, resulting in a violation notice. The consequences of such violations include fines ranging from $40 to $150, with repeat offences resulting in higher penalties. Importantly, these camera-issued tickets do not incur points on a driver's license and are not reported to insurance companies, which prevents insurance premium increases. However, failure to pay the fines can lead to license suspension and involvement of collection agencies, impacting credit scores. Understanding the specifics of traffic camera tickets in Pennsylvania is crucial for drivers to make informed decisions and maintain a safe driving record.

Red light camera fines are $100 in Pennsylvania

Red light cameras are legal in Pennsylvania and are installed at intersections where car accidents are most common. If you run a red light in the state, you will receive a ticket in the mail with a fine of $100. This is the maximum fine for a camera ticket in the state. If you simply pay the ticket, you will plead guilty and can move on. However, you can also plead not guilty and challenge the ticket in court, especially if you believe you received it in error or if someone else was driving your car.

If you receive a ticket from a police officer for running a red light, you will get a citation with a larger fine and points on your license. This type of ticket can also be appealed, and you may wish to hire a Pennsylvania traffic ticket lawyer to give you the best chance of a positive outcome.

If you don't pay a red light camera ticket, it can be sent to a collection agency, and you could end up owing late fees and collection agency fees. This can cause a $100 ticket to cost several hundred dollars.

It's worth noting that red light camera violations are treated differently than other traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. No points are assessed for a red light camera ticket, and the violation won't affect the person's driving record or insurance rates.

No points are added to your license for red light camera violations

In Pennsylvania, red light camera violations are treated differently from other traffic tickets. If you plead guilty and pay the fine for a red light camera ticket, no points will be added to your license. This is in contrast to a ticket issued by a law enforcement officer for running a red light, which will result in points on your license.

Red light camera violations are not considered moving violations in Pennsylvania. This means that the violation will not affect your driving record or insurance rates. The maximum fine for a red light camera ticket is $100, and you will simply need to pay the fine to resolve the issue.

It is important to note that red light camera violations are different from red light summary violations. A summary violation will result in a $25 fine, in addition to points being added to your license. These points can lead to an increase in insurance premiums and can eventually result in a suspension of your driver's license.

If you receive a red light camera ticket in Philadelphia, you can pay your ticket online. For other areas of Pennsylvania, you should contact the jurisdiction that issued the citation to pay the fee.

While red light camera violations do not result in points on your license, it is still important to address the ticket promptly. Failure to pay the fine may result in the ticket being sent to a collection agency, which could incur additional late fees and collection agency fees.

You can contest a ticket in court

If you receive a traffic camera ticket in Pennsylvania, you can contest it in court. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Examine Your Ticket

First, check the date, time, and location of the ticket. Because camera tickets are sent to the owner of the car, make sure you were actually driving the car when the ticket was issued. If someone else borrowed your car, you can't be prosecuted. Also, make sure to review the photos—if they're blurry or don't clearly show your license plate, this could be a valid defence.

Step 2: Plead Not Guilty

You must plead not guilty if you want to dispute the ticket. You can usually do this by mail or online, or you may have to appear at an arraignment or first hearing. Check your citation and your local laws to understand the correct procedure and deadlines.

Step 3: Request a Formal Hearing

When you plead not guilty, demand a full formal hearing or trial. This may involve attending other hearings such as pre-trial hearings or mediation, but don't accept anything less than a full dismissal of your ticket.

Step 4: Gather Evidence

You'll need to research the applicable laws and cases in your city or county regarding traffic cameras. Look for recognised defences, such as improperly posted warning signs or a necessity defence for speeding. Also, request documents and photos from the local police department or law enforcement agency in charge of the camera. You can use this information to build your case and identify potential issues with the camera's maintenance and calibration.

Step 5: Attend Your Hearing

Arrive at court with copies of any documents and evidence you intend to use. Treat everyone with respect and listen quietly while the prosecutor presents their case. Then, present your defence, challenging the admissibility of the photographs as hearsay and asserting your right to confront witnesses. Dispute the authenticity of the photographs and attack the lack of evidence. If the photos are clear and admitted as evidence, raise any other possible defences you've identified in your research.

Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras detect speeding in work zones

The Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras (WZSSC) program in Pennsylvania uses portable systems, either vehicle- or apparatus-mounted, to detect and record vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit in work zones. The system is triggered when a vehicle is travelling 11 miles per hour (mph) or more over the speed limit, capturing images of the front and rear of the vehicle, along with relevant information such as speed, location, date, and time. This information is then transferred to a back-office system, where registered owner details are obtained. After necessary checks, a notice of violation is mailed to the owner, with a first-time warning carrying no fine.

The goal of the WZSSC program is to improve safety in work zones by reducing speeds, improving driver behaviour, and protecting workers and travellers. The program is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

The legislation enabling the WZSSC program was signed into law on October 19, 2018, with enforcement beginning on March 9, 2020. The systems are required to be recalibrated and recertified annually, with daily self-tests to ensure proper functioning. Work zones with active WZSSC systems will have unique signs alerting drivers to the upcoming enforcement area.

If you receive a notice of violation, you can choose to pay the fine or contest it. Payment instructions are included in the notice, and payments can be made by mail, phone, online, or in person. If you wish to contest the violation, you can do so by mail, online, or in person, following the instructions on the notice. Only the owner of the vehicle may contest the violation.

It is important to note that the use of cruise control is not a defence against a WZSSC violation, as motorists are responsible for monitoring their speed. Additionally, driving with the flow of traffic is also not a valid excuse, as the posted speed limit applies to all vehicles in the work zone.

Camera speeding tickets are not considered moving violations

In Pennsylvania, drivers may encounter speeding cameras, which are automatic enforcement devices used to detect speeding and issue tickets. These cameras are typically placed in work zones or intersections where car accidents are common, with the goal of improving driver behaviour and reducing the risk of collisions.

When a driver is deemed to be travelling 11 miles per hour (mph) or more over the speed limit, the speeding camera system captures images of the vehicle and related information such as the speed limit, speed, location, date, and time. This information is then used to issue a violation notice, which is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Importantly, camera speeding tickets are not considered moving violations in Pennsylvania. This means that while you must pay the associated fine, you will not receive points on your driving record.

The fine amount for a camera speeding ticket varies depending on how much you exceeded the speed limit. For instance, if you were driving 11-15 mph over, the fine is $40, while driving 16-25 mph over results in a $75 fine, and speeding over 26 mph incurs a $100 fine. It's important to pay the fine on time, as unpaid tickets can lead to additional fees, a suspended license, and negative impacts on your credit score.

While camera speeding tickets themselves don't result in points, accumulating too many moving violations or having a history of reckless driving can still result in your license being suspended or revoked. Additionally, out-of-state drivers should be aware that while points may not transfer to their home state, the violation will still appear on their driving record, potentially affecting their insurance premiums.

In summary, while camera speeding tickets in Pennsylvania don't carry points, they still come with financial penalties and can have serious consequences if ignored. It's always best to drive responsibly and within the speed limit to avoid any legal or financial troubles.

Frequently asked questions