Cameras/Legality Discussion View history

Revision as of 12:48, 23 May 2014 by Anthogna (talk | contribs) (→‎State table: added "not legal" red-light and speed cameras to Michigan)

The legality of photo/video enforcement of traffic laws varies from state to state and between the various jurisdictions inside a state depending on how the laws are written. Below is a list of the laws by state. DISCLAIMER: We are not attorneys and are not responsible for mistakes and/or outdated information. The most current information has been found on IIHS and GSHA.

Not all camera looking devices at intersections are speed or red light cameras. Review the article on cameras before adding them to the map.

State table

Legend

Not Legal Statewide NOT LEGAL
Legal in Certain Jurisdictions SEE NOTES BELOW
Legal Statewide LEGAL STATEWIDE


State Red Light Cameras Speed Cameras
Alabama SEE NOTES BELOW NOT LEGAL
Alaska
Arizona LEGAL STATEWIDE LEGAL STATEWIDE
Arkansas SEE NOTES BELOW
California LEGAL STATEWIDE
Colorado LEGAL STATEWIDE SEE NOTES BELOW
Connecticut NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Delaware LEGAL STATEWIDE
District of Columbia LEGAL STATEWIDE LEGAL STATEWIDE
Florida LEGAL STATEWIDE NOT LEGAL
Georgia LEGAL STATEWIDE
Hawaii
Idaho SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
Illinois SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana LEGAL STATEWIDE LEGAL STATEWIDE
Maine NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Maryland SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
Massachusetts NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Michigan NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Minnesota
Mississippi NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Missouri
Montana NOT LEGAL
Nebraska
Nevada NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
New Hampshire
New Jersey NOT LEGAL
New Mexico
New York SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
Oklahoma
Oregon LEGAL STATEWIDE
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island LEGAL STATEWIDE
South Carolina NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
South Dakota
Tennessee SEE NOTES BELOW SEE NOTES BELOW
Texas
Utah NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Vermont
Virginia SEE NOTES BELOW NOT LEGAL
Washington
West Virginia NOT LEGAL NOT LEGAL
Wisconsin NOT LEGAL
Wyoming

Notes by state

Arkansas

Photo radar only in school zones and railroad crossings with an officer present at the time of the infraction.

Colorado

Speed cameras restricted to construction zones, school zones, residential areas, and adjacent to municipal parks.

Idaho

Idaho has no state law regarding the use of speed cameras or red light cameras. As of December 2013, the state neither operates nor has publicized plans to operate in the future, cameras of either type.

Illinois

See the list of communities where red light cameras are legal here . Speed cameras may be in use in construction zones statewide.

Maryland

Speed cameras are authorized in school zones and work zones statewide, but each jurisdiction (county/city) must pass legislation to implement them. The Maryland State Highway Administration has detailed FAQs on Speed Cameras on its website.

Red Light cameras are authorized statewide, but require SHA approval before installation on state roads. The Maryland SHA has details about Red Light cameras on its website.

The Maryland page has details on local camera systems.

New York

Red light (NY)

Red light cameras are permitted only in the following locations (Vehicle & Traffic Law Article 24):

Speed (NY)

On August 1, 2013 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that permits New York City to establish a five-year demonstration program to monitor school speed zones in New York City with speed cameras and to allow evidence captured on camera to be used to impose liability for speeding. This new law will enhance the safety of children, pedestrians and drivers in New York City school speed zones by encouraging drivers to drive with caution through these areas and supplement law enforcement efforts to catch violations and prevent accidents caused by speeding. [1]

New York City is authorized to set up cameras in 20 school zones (there is some discrepancy in media reports if this means they are limited to just 20 cameras or if they can put multiple cameras in each of 20 school zones). These camera can be moved from school zone to school zone as the city sees fit. The cameras can only operate during school hours and/or after-school activities. This is a 5 year pilot program - the law is set to expire on August 1, 2018 unless it is extended by the New York State Legislature.

Ohio

See the list of communities where cameras are legal here.

Tennessee

Each municipality may decide to use "unmanned traffic enforcement cameras", but they are all governed by state-wide laws contained in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55, Chapter 8, Sub-Section 198 (TCA § 55-8-198).

  • All cameras must be signed (TCA § 55-8-198(c)(2))
  • No Cameras allowed on Interstates except for temporary work zones (TCA § 55-8-198(f))
  • No cameras allowed near speed limit changes of 10 mph or greater (TCA § 55-8-198(l))

Virginia

Each town, independent city, and county may elect to install a limited number of red-light cameras pursuant to state law, but not all jurisdictions have done so. (Va. Code § 15.2-968.1)