How Much is a Red Light Ticket in NYC?

If you are driving through New York City, you may spot red light cameras at a number of intersections. Although an inconvenience, red light cameras are designed to keep other road users safe by deterring red light offenders.

In New York City, red light cameras have been part of the City’s initiative to protect its citizens since 1994. It is important to understand how red light cameras work in The Big Apple.

How Do Red Light Cameras Work?

Since 1994, New York City has used a red light program to catch drivers who travel through red lights. Currently, there are 150 red-light cameras placed at intersections throughout New York City. When a driver passes the stop line once a light has turned red, a roadway sensor triggers a camera to snap a picture of the vehicle. 

A Department of Transportation (DOT) employee will review the footage, and if the violation is valid, you will receive a Notice of Liability in the mail. 

The Notice of Liability will show a photograph of your vehicle running the red light, accompanied by a ticket. Even if someone else was driving your car, you will still be responsible for paying the fine.

What Information is in the Notice of Liability?

The Notice of Liability (NOL) will contain the following information:

• The date of the violation
• The violation time
• The camera location
• The time from when the camera turned red to when your car entered the intersection
• The street lane that triggered the camera 
• Photo sequence of the violation

The photo sequence will contain three photos of your car:

• The first photo will show your vehicle entering the crosswalk while the light was red;
• The second photo will show your vehicle after you drove under the traffic signal and passed through the intersection and
• The third photo will show a close-up of your car’s license plate number.

It normally takes 30 days to receive a NOL from the City. 

Why Do Drivers Run Red Lights?

There are two main causes of red light violations:

• Speeding: a motorist who is speeding will require a longer stopping distance and will likely not be able to stop in time for a red light
• Distracted driving: distracted driving comes in many forms. Drivers who are texting, talking on their cell phones, or applying make-up are looking up infrequently and not mentally processing what is happening in front of them. Approximately 3,000 people die in crashes involving a distracted driver each year. 

How Much Does a Red Light Ticket Cost?

A red light ticket costs $50, with a $4 processing fee and a 2% service fee for credit cards. There are several ways to pay, but the DOT recommends that people pay through CityPay. There is no additional fee when remitting your payment by mail.

Is There a Penalty If I Don’t Pay?

Although a red light ticket will not result in any points against your license, don’t ignore the ticket. 

To avoid penalties, be sure to pay your ticket within 30 days of issuance. After 30 days, a $25 fine will be implemented. After 65 days, a Final Notice will be sent, and after 75 days, a default judgment will be entered against you, with 9% simple interest per year being added to your total amount due. The City may send your debt to a collection agency or seize your assets to collect payment. Seeking counsel from a car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm is always recommended.

Hours of Operation for Red Light Cameras

New York City’s red light cameras used to be limited to catching violators from Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Even with limited hours of operation, in the program’s first year, the average red light camera issued 30.8 violations daily. 

As of August 1, 2022, a new state law went into effect that allowed red light cameras to operate 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. This around-the-clock enforcement ensures that the City is deterring unsafe behaviors at all hours of the day.

Do Red Light Cameras Reduce Accidents?

In a recent year, red light violations resulted in 928 fatalities and about 143,000 injuries. About 50% of these deaths were pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of vehicles that were hit by the driver who ran the red light.

New York City’s red light cameras have reduced traffic accidents by 77%. Further data reflects that “T-bone” crashes have been reduced by 80%, and rear-end crashes have been reduced by 61%. 

Car Accident Lawyers Dedicated to Serving New York City

Red light cameras aim to discourage drivers from running red lights. Even though New York City’s DOT has made painstaking efforts to make driving safer, motorists still run red lights. If you have been injured in an car accident caused by a driver running a red light, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact The Barnes Firm today to schedule your free consultation. 

Bronx Car Accident Lawyer
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer
Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer
Long Island Car Accident Lawyer
New York City Car Accident Lawyer
Queens Car Accident Lawyer
Rochester Car Accident Attorney
Motorcycle Accident Rochester NY

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes