Confusion Over California Red Light Camera Tickets: Do Drivers Have to Pay?
- Rex Ballard
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
In most of California, where traffic congestion is a daily battle, red light camera tickets have long been a source of frustration for drivers. A recent investigative report from CBS News California highlights the ongoing debate: Are these hefty fines enforceable, or can they often be ignored without consequence? The report, featuring interviews with drivers, experts, and legal representatives, sheds light on the murky enforcement of these automated citations while noting a new state law that could reshape how violations are handled.
The investigation centers on drivers like one woman who received a $486 ticket for allegedly running a red light after it turned yellow. She described the fine as "serious money" and opted to fight it through a service called Ticket Snipers, which charges $179 to challenge tickets in court. Ticket Snipers founder Jorian Goes explained that his company successfully contests thousands of camera tickets annually, citing issues such as lack of human witnesses, sensor calibration errors, and improper declarants from camera companies or municipalities. Goes emphasized that many tickets are dismissed when challenged, as seen in the driver's case where her citation was thrown out.
Jay Beeber from the National Motorists Association provided a bolder perspective: California courts lack the tools to force payment on these tickets. Unpaid citations are typically sent to collection agencies, but these agencies have limited power. Importantly, nonpayment does not affect a driver's credit score, DMV record, or insurance rates in most cases. This stems from a key 2016 settlement involving the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and 31 state attorneys general, including California's.
Background on the 2016 Settlement
The 2016 agreement was part of a broader multistate investigation launched in 2012 by the Ohio Attorney General's office into credit report inaccuracies. Under the settlement, the credit bureaus agreed to stop reporting debts that did not arise from a consumer's contract or agreement to pay, explicitly including fines like traffic and parking tickets. This change took effect in mid-2016, with agencies notifying debt collectors to cease submitting such data. For example, Experian issued cease-and-desist notices to entities like Xerox, which handles collections for some red light camera programs, prohibiting reports on towing charges, storage fees, and traffic fines.
The settlement aimed to enhance credit reporting accuracy and transparency, requiring the bureaus to implement changes over three years, including better dispute resolution and limits on certain data additions to reports. Collectively, the agencies paid $6 million to the participating states. This has led experts like Beeber to argue that ignoring red light camera tickets carries little risk, as long as drivers avoid responding in ways that submit to court jurisdiction. The Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed that unaddressed citations simply go to collections without further escalation.
However, not all experts agree on blanket nonpayment. Some sources note that while points aren't added for camera tickets, failure to pay could lead to late fees or issues with vehicle registration renewal in certain cases. Additionally, insurance companies might still access public records of unpaid citations, potentially affecting rates indirectly.
New California Law Shifts Violations to Civil Penalties
Adding a layer of complexity, a new California law—Senate Bill 720 (SB 720), also known as the Safer Streets Act—took effect on January 1, 2026. This legislation allows cities and counties to opt into alternative automated camera programs for enforcing red light violations, treating them as civil infractions rather than criminal offenses. Under SB 720, fines are capped at $100, including administrative fees, with no points added to a driver's license. Responsibility shifts to the vehicle's registered owner, not necessarily the driver, and revenue must support local street safety improvements.
The law specifies escalating penalties for late payments, but late fees cannot exceed 50% of the original fine. Notices must be mailed within 15 days of the violation, and owners have 30 days to pay or contest. Proponents argue this reduces accidents at intersections while making penalties more equitable, especially for low-income drivers burdened by the previous $500-plus fines. However, implementation requires local opt-in, so not all areas will see immediate changes.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) highlighted SB 720 in its roundup of 2026 laws, noting it aims to enhance road safety without disproportionate punishment. Cities like San Francisco already use similar systems, issuing citations to registered owners via the Superior Court.
What Drivers Should Do
For those receiving a red light camera ticket, options include paying the fine, fighting it in court, or—in some views—ignoring it, though the latter carries risks like potential registration holds under the new law. Experts recommend checking local policies, as enforcement varies by jurisdiction. With over 250 photo-enforced intersections still active statewide, drivers are advised to stay vigilant at lights to avoid tickets altogether.
As California balances safety with fairness, this issue underscores the evolving nature of traffic enforcement in the digital age. Drivers in areas like Los Angeles and San Jose should monitor local announcements for SB 720 rollouts.
