Red light running is one of the most serious traffic problems facing San Bernardino residents today. Nationally red light running is a significant problem. In 2000, 106,000 crashes, 89,000 injuries, and 1,036 deaths were attributed to red light running. These crash types tend to be among the most common and dangerous. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that compared with all other types of urban crashes, those involving signal violations are the most likely to cause injuries. This same study found that running red lights and other traffic controls is the most common cause of urban crashes.

The California Office of Traffic Safety is so concerned about red light running that it offers special grant funds to law enforcement agencies to help combat this deadly problem.

Why Traditional Enforcement Doesn't Stop Red Light Runners

Local governments lack sufficient resources to adequately enforce traffic signal laws without photo red light enforcement. The most obvious problem is that police officers cannot be everywhere at once. It is simply impossible for officers to continuously monitor an intersection with the uninterrupted focus of a photo red light camera. Another important consideration is the potential danger associated with police officers following red light runners through heavily congested intersections. The pursuit of red light runners can pose a serious risk for motorists, pedestrians, and police officers.

Finally assuming it was feasible to safely enforce an intersection, according to San Bernardino Police Department cost analysis research, it would take at least three full-time officers at a cost of at least $125,000 per officer the first year and an average of $100,000 per officer in future years, to enforce an intersection for one shift. Obviously the cost would exceed the City's opportunity to responsibly enforce one intersection using traditional methods. Photo red light enforcement is safer, more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods of intersection enforcement.

If you received a ticket from a Red Light Camera,  these are the procedures you need to follow.  The link will lead you to a printable pdf.