Florida has some of the highest red-light violations in the country with close to 3% of drivers who have run a red light or stop sign. But if you get a red light ticket, that still doesn’t mean you automatically need to pay the fine. With the help of a traffic defense attorney, you may be able to have the cost of the fine reduced, and even have your ticket dismissed altogether. Read ahead to find out what are the best ways to fight your red light ticket in Florida.
How to Fight a Red Light Camera Ticket in Florida
Red light cameras can capture different traffic violations, from running a red light to stopping in the middle of an intersection while the light is red.
These violations are typically captured in both photo and video forms.
They are reviewed by police officers who will then decide whether the driver was in violation of traffic laws.
In general, red light camera tickets can’t be issued to drivers who:
- Don’t stop or stop too late at a red light and make a right turn in a “careful and prudent manner”
- Are directed by law enforcement to go through the red light
- Are issued a ticket by an officer in person for the same violation
The first thing you need to do when you get a notice of violation is to check the information carefully.
The notice will usually also include a link where you can watch the video of the violation.
If you believe that you received the ticket in error, or you had valid reasons for running a red light, you should fight your ticket.
An estimated two-thirds of Floridians who dispute their red light camera tickets are found not guilty and have their cases dismissed.
In nearly all the other cases, drivers have their fine reduced.
The strategy that will give you the best chance of beating your ticket will depend on your specific circumstances when running the red light.
You were not the one driving the car
Check the date, time, and location of the red-camera recording to make sure that you were driving the car at that time.
Although red-light camera violations are assessed to the owner of the car, in Florida, the driver and not the vehicle owner is liable for the violation.
That means if someone else runs a red light while driving your car … [ keep reading on winIt ]
