Traffic and Red Light Cameras in Jacksonville, FL
When you’re driving around Jacksonville, Florida, you may notice cameras at some of the red lights. A few of these cameras red light cameras, one of the city’s measures for public safety. These cameras have been a bit controversial, but it’s important for Jacksonville drivers to be aware of what they are and how they work.
Below, we’ll discuss what these cameras are, how much the tickets cost, and what to do if you do get one of those tickets.
What Is a Red Light Camera?
Red light cameras are a tool for enforcing traffic controls at some intersections in Jacksonville. These cameras watch intersections as traffic lights change. If someone runs a red light, these cameras snap a picture of their license plate and automatically send a ticket to their address.
Red light cameras only take a picture if you enter the intersection after the light has turned red. If you’re pushing it through a yellow light, you won’t be ticketed. The cameras also take a picture of the front of your car and a short video to provide extra evidence in case the ticket is contested.
Are They Legal?
When these cameras were first introduced, there was a lot of controversy about whether they could legally dispense tickets. Many of these cameras are owned and operated by third-party providers, not law enforcement. Some people questioned if these third-party cameras could dispense tickets in place of law enforcement.
The question actually made it all the way up to the Florida Supreme Court in 2019. The court ruled that the cameras are legal and can be used in the interest of public safety. Nevertheless, some communities in Florida have begun phasing the cameras out.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
How much your ticket from a traffic camera costs will depend on a variety of factors. How fast you were going and what county you were in at the time you got the ticket can all change the cost. In most of the state, red light camera tickets are $158.
In Jacksonville, if you fail to pay your red light camera ticket after the first notification, that ticket cost will go up to $262. You’ll also have points added to your driver’s license for the violation.
What Should I Do If I Get a Ticket?
If you get a red light ticket, you’ll get a notice about it in the mail. If you don’t plan to contest it, make sure you pay the ticket within thirty days after receiving it to avoid higher fines and points on your license. If you avoid paying it for too long, you could even lose your license.
In some cases, you may want to contest the ticket instead of just paying it. If it wasn’t you who ran the red light or if you received an unjust ticket, you may not have to pay at all. You’ll need to hire a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer to help you fight your case and get justice.
Get the Representation You Deserve
Red light cameras are a controversial measure in Jacksonville, but they are a part of maintaining public safety in the city. If you get a red light camera ticket, be sure to pay it as soon as possible to avoid higher fines. If you plan to contest the ticket, you’ll need a Jacksonville car accident lawyer on your side.
Whether you’re fighting an unfair ticket or recovering from a car accident, the attorneys at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers want to help. We have over eight decades of combined experience fighting for the citizens of Jacksonville, and we’re ready to go to bat for you, too. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss the details of your case.
Contact the Jacksonville Car Accident Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra personal injury law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167