Traffic camera usage has seen a steady increase from the early 90s into the mid-2010s. By 2021, about 344 U.S. communities were using red light camera programs specifically, according to public information tracked by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).
With traffic camera usage being a recent topic addressed by the Ohio Supreme Court, now is a great time to answer a few questions for drivers who may be facing speeding tickets related to traffic camera usage and what that means for them in Ohio.
Yes, there are speeding cameras in Ohio.
They are not everywhere, but certain cities and municipalities choose to use them.
Ohio has been using camera tickets for traffic violations since the early 2000s. But many people still have questions about their enforceability, payment procedures, and impact on driving records. Currently, there are over 20 cities in Ohio that rely on camera tickets to enforce traffic rules.
One of the most common questions about camera tickets is whether they are enforceable in Ohio. The answer is yes. Failure to respond to a camera ticket or appear in court can lead to driver’s license suspension. This means that you can’t renew your license or register a new vehicle until you’ve paid the fines and other associated fees. Unpaid camera tickets can also lead to higher insurance premiums upon renewal.
In 2004, Ohio passed a law that allowed cities to install red-light cameras and speed cameras to issue tickets to drivers who violate traffic laws.
The legality of traffic cameras in Ohio is not solely based on the state law but also on individual city ordinances and court rulings. While Ohio law allows traffic cameras, it does not require their use, and it allows each city to set its guidelines and procedures for the cameras. Some cities in Ohio have chosen to remove traffic cameras altogether, such as Garfield Heights, which cited the high cost of operating and enforcing them.
Traffic camera tickets in Ohio face many legal challenges, including citing the violation without the driver’s identity, violating the equal protection and due process clauses, and contradicting the city’s own traffic codes.
Traffic cameras can be used for the purpose of detecting traffic violations, as laid out by Section 4511.093 of the Ohio Revised Code, with certain stipulations.
Stipulations laid out include that a local authority “shall use a traffic law photo-monitoring device to detect and enforce traffic law violations only if a law enforcement officer is present at the location of the device at all times during the operation of the device and if the local authority complies with sections 4511.094 and 4511.095 of the Revised Code.”
Traffic cameras can also not be used to enforce or detect traffic violations on interstate highways.
For further information regarding how Ohio state law may apply to your speeding ticket from a traffic camera, be sure to reach out to The Maher Law Firm for more specific assistance.
Ignoring a camera speeding ticket may not be your best option. If you ignore the ticket, the fine will increase, and your driving record will be negatively affected. You can even receive a court summons, which will cost you more in legal fees and time. When the ticket arrives, it’s best to pay it or dispute the ticket.
If you’re not sure whether or not the ticket is valid, it’s best to dispute it in court. You may even end up avoiding the ticket altogether if the ticket was not issued correctly. To dispute the ticket, you’ll need to go to court. You can dispute the ticket by presenting evidence that the camera didn’t function correctly, that the speed limit signs were not clear or visible, or that you were not driving the car at the time of the violation.
With a traditional traffic ticket in Columbus Ohio, you can expect to face potential penalties like license points, an increase in your car insurance rates, and even possible license suspensions depending on how many points were already on your license, whether or not you had insurance at the time of the stop, and if your violation could be considered reckless.
A traffic camera ticket differs from a traditional ticket, in most cases. Traffic camera tickets in Ohio, typically are not treated like a regular speeding tickets. They are often considered civil violations that result in a financial penalty yet do.
To fight a camera ticket, you will want to fight it just as you would any other traffic ticket. When issued a traffic ticket, you have a few choices: signing and returning the ticket with any payments owed or appearing for the court date that is listed on the ticket. You will also be able to request a hearing.
Once you are issued a ticket and you request a hearing or choose to appear in court, consult with a Columbus speeding traffic ticket attorney before you do anything. They can provide legal insight, help you understand why the ticket was issued, and help take you through the process of fighting the said ticket.
Your attorney will go on to analyze important details surrounding your Columbus Ohio traffic ticket like making sure the citation was correctly filled out and properly filed.
Unless you choose to fight a camera speeding ticket you have been issued, you will typically need to pay the ticket. If you do not, the fine tied to the ticket will increase. Other consequences of not paying or ignoring the ticket can include your driving record being impacted negatively and you may even potentially receive a court summons.
No, unlike traditional tickets, camera tickets do not appear on your driving record. This is because they are usually considered civil violations, otherwise known as civil penalties, under state law. As per Section 4511.098 of the Ohio Revised Code, if you receive a camera speeding ticket, you can either pay the civil violation or contest it.
Speed camera tickets are different from traditional tickets. Since they are considered civil penalties and do not typically result in consequences like license suspensions, you usually will not see an affect on your car insurance. With traditional tickets, you can see an increase in your car insurance rates.
Just like speed camera tickets will not impact your car insurance rates, neither will a red light camera ticket. Typically, your car insurance rate will only be affected by a traditional speeding or traffic ticket. Insurance companies usually view traditional tickets, that do appear on your driving record, as a sign of increased risk. Increased risk can mean higher insurance premiums, but not from red light camera tickets.
If you do not pay a camera ticket, you run the risk of facing an increased fine. You may also receive a court summons, which will often run you additional fees due to legal fees and time.
Should you receive a camera ticket, it is best to address it. You can address a camera ticket through one of three ways:
Or you can provide an affidavit from the registered owner stating that the vehicle or license plate tied to the vehicle was stolen at the time of the issued violation, and therefore in control by someone else.
If you would like to context a camera ticket or provide a signed affidavit, Maher Law Firm can help.
When it comes to red light tickets, it is important to know that running a red light is considered a misdemeanor – though the specific classification of the misdemeanor will depend on how many recent traffic convictions a driver has had. When it comes to paying a red light ticket, the fines will vary from as little as $150 to $500, depending on the degree of the misdemeanor.
With that in mind, we recommend consulting with a traffic ticket attorney before paying a red light ticket. Paying the ticket will add points to your driver’s license, so reaching out to an attorney will be helpful in disputing the ticket. Disputing a red light ticket can help ensure that your driver’s license is not at risk and can potentially help keep points from being added to your license.
Speeding tickets are something that you can certainly pay for or try to fight against on your own. That being said, having the assistance of an experienced Columbus speeding ticket attorney can make big difference.
Columbus traffic defense attorney Colin Maher has handled thousands of cases from minor traffic violations to serious traffic offenses as well as criminal cases. Speeding tickets, whether received through traffic cameras or other means, can quickly add up given the various fines, court costs, insurance rate increases, and other penalties associated with them.
Reach out to Colin Maher today for a free phone consultation. You can contact him online or speak with him directly by calling 614-205-2208.
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