Transportation

Automated Enforcement

Updated January 2008

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Red light running crashes are responsible for approximately 260,000 injuries and 750 fatalities each year. Speed also is a factor in thousands of car crashes each year. Because of limited resources, many municipal governments have turned to automated enforcement to control speed and reduce red light violations without diverting law enforcement resources from other areas. Red light cameras and photo radar give local law enforcement agencies the ability to enforce these traffic laws remotely. Over 100 U.S. communities use red light cameras and 21 communities in the U.S. use cameras to enforce speed laws. State laws regarding automated enforcement generally establish guidelines for municipal governments. Some state laws limit the use of the cameras to certain cities, while other state laws allow their use statewide. New Jersey and Wisconsin prohibit the use of automated enforcement in any situation. Nevada prohibits the use of cameras unless operated by an officer or installed in a law enforcement vehicle or facility. The constitutionality of automated enforcement laws has been challenged in many jurisdictions. All the challenges have been unsuccessful.

State Policies Regarding Use of Traffic Cameras - 2006

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NCSL Publications

"Traffic Safety and Public Health: State Legislative Action 2007," Transportation Series No. 32, December 2007, by Melissa Savage, Matt Sundeen, and Anne Teigen.
"Traffic Safety and Public Health: State Legislative Action 2006," Transportation Series No. 31, March 2007, by Melissa Savage, Matt Sundeen and Jeanne Mejeur.
"Traffic Safety and Public Health: State Legislative Action 2005," Transportation Series No. 21, December 2005, by melissa Savage, Matt Sundeen and Jeanne Mejeur.
"Automated Traffic Enforcement," Transportation Review by Melissa Savage Updated April 2004.

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NCSL Contact

Melissa Savage
Anne Teigen

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