You will receive a fine if the red light camera shows that your car went beyond the stop line into the intersection during a red light.
The installation of red light cameras is usually done in intersections that are susceptible to crashes and where pedestrians and other road users like road workers are at risk. Red light cameras essentially enable drivers to make conscious decisions on the road. You will be fined for ignoring red light cameras and have demerit points on your licence. The locations for safety cameras are usually around traffic lights and connected to sensors that are below the first stop line. If the vehicle goes past the white line when the light is red, it triggers the camera and two photos are taken. One shows the vehicle's rear when crossing the stop line and the second one shows that it went ahead across the intersection during the red light signal. The date, time, plus location are all recorded by the camera. The image detail also indicates the speed limit and your real-time direction and speed. Sometimes red-light cameras can also be speed cameras. Therefore over-speeding to beat the red signal can land you in a red light speed offence. The picture taken by the camera is used as evidence against you. If you ignore the traffic light signal at any camera location, details will be taken and you will be served with an infringement notice and eventual camera fines of at least $603. You will also earn demerit points which might lead to eventual licence suspension.
After receiving a penalty notice, make a petition before 28 days elapses if you feel that the penalty is not justified or you accidentally went through the intersection on a red light. In this case, the penalty notice could be maintained. This shows that it's justifiable that you committed an offence. You can therefore comply with the fine payment or petition the issue in court.
If the SDRO finds that the penalty notice is not justified, it could just give you a warning. However, this is only in accordance with an excellent driving record of not less than ten years. You could also only be cautioned based on your tangible special evidence. There is no offence penalty or demerit points but the warning is put on record.
Finally, if the SDRO finds that the penalty notice was erroneous or the offence evidence is not sufficient, the penalty will be cancelled. There will be no light camera fine or demerit points. Therefore the driver licence will not be at risk of suspension and the driving history will remain clean.
Australia has red light cameras installed in different areas. These cameras take images of vehicles that move through the intersection when the traffic lights turn red. The pictures taken must clearly show the vehicle's number plate for easy identification of the owner to be served with an infringement ticket. You will therefore know that you broke a road safety law after the police officer in charge or the SDRO reviews pictures taken by the red light camera and serves you with a penalty ticket through your mail. You can simply comply and pay the fine or decide to move the matter the court. However, be prepared for the courts are expensive and are rarely lenient. You will also know that the red light camera caught your vehicle if you see the traffic light is red, but you intentionally decide to cross the stop line. Although these red light cameras are essential in the reduction of accidents, they also serve as a government business. This is because the penalties serve as a source of revenue when the offenders pay the fines. The red lights are there to ensure every vehicle driver makes a proper decision at every intersection to avoid penalties. This ensures that accidents are minimised and there's safety for everyone on the road. It is therefore prudent for every driver to respect the red light signals.
The red-light camera is computerised and linked to sensors that run through the stop line. It is set to take a photo of any vehicle that passes the stop line 0.3 seconds after the traffic light changes to red. The camera will however not be activated if you cross during a yellow light. These cameras also serve as speed cameras. When a vehicle crosses the first line in disregard of the red light, the camera is sensitised and activated and takes two photos. The first one is for the rear of the car and the second image is taken in an estimated one second after taking the first photo. The second one shows the moment the car is in the intersection. The picture taken shows several things. It first displays the licence plate for identification. The date and the real-time of the incidence are also shown. It also displays the exact intersection's location. The recommended maximum speed and your speed at the moment and direction of the car are also recorded. The images are then evaluated by the SDRO and the fines are administered to the offenders. The offence is charged $603 plus three demerit points. In case the camera is located in a school area and you break the red light law within school hours, the penalty rises to $755 plus four demerit points.
It's not difficult to spot red light cameras if you are attentive. In most cases, it is a relatively large box that has two flashlights that are externally mounted on the ends of the intersection. They are mostly installed in high-traffic city intersections. In many cases, there is a signpost that indicates the presence of red light cameras so you shouldn't miss them. They are meant to record vehicles that move through intersections in disregard of the red light rule. They are usually in the same zone with the safety lights. So if you see safety lights at the intersection, know that that red light cameras are within range and are monitoring your drive. If these cameras detect that you disobeyed the red light, they will take an image of your car. The image will indicate where you committed the offence and the date of the act. They will also record the vehicle's direction, the set maximum speed and the speed of the vehicle. In case you are found on the wrong, you will be notified with an infringement ticket and a penalty notice number in your mail. It's therefore advisable to observe red lights for everyone's safety and to avoid being handed a red light camera fine.