In California, your car could receive a ticket even when you're not present in it | Carscoops
Lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal to reinstate red-light cameras in California, featuring reduced fines and a new rule regarding ticket recipients.
Bill SB720 aims to bring back red-light cameras statewide after a lengthy hiatus. Under this legislation, fines would be imposed on vehicle owners instead of identifying the actual driver involved in the violation. The penalties would decrease from $500 to $100 and would no longer count as moving violations.
Sacramento ended its red-light camera program in 2024, but it may soon return in a new format that shifts responsibility from drivers to the registered owners of the vehicles.
In this arrangement, the registered owner's name on the vehicle title would be the one receiving the ticket, not necessarily the person who was driving. While this could seem unjust, especially if someone else is responsible for the infraction, the reduced fines and the change from a criminal to a civil infraction could provide some balance.
When Sacramento terminated its program, it cited inefficacy and high costs as reasons. However, state authorities now report that red-light fatalities have reached a decade-high. In light of this and other factors, Senator Angelique Ashby proposed SB720.
If approved, this bill would reactivate red-light cameras, allowing cities to issue fines without identifying the driver; instead, tickets would be sent to vehicle owners based on their license plates.
The proposed legislation would lower the current $500 criminal fine for running a red light to a $100 civil fine, meaning that offenders wouldn't have to attend traffic school, accumulate points on their driving records, or face increased insurance rates.
Supporters argue that this method will lessen penalties and streamline enforcement without placing excessive demands on everyday drivers.
However, it is important to acknowledge that states with similar civil systems have faced enforcement challenges. Over time, some drivers have accumulated substantial unpaid fines, resulting in agencies pursuing debts that are seldom collected. Additionally, because these penalties are civil rather than criminal, individuals may continue to drive without fear of license suspension.
If the governor signs the bill into law, Sacramento and other cities in California could restart their red-light camera programs, directing all generated revenue toward local safety enhancements like improved crosswalks and new bike lanes.
It remains uncertain whether a fair balance can be struck between enforcement, justice, and funding.
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In California, your car could receive a ticket even when you're not present in it | Carscoops
Lawmakers have moved forward with a proposal to reinstate red-light cameras, featuring reduced fines and a new regulation that may alter the identity of the ticket recipient.