How Much is a Red Light Ticket in Colorado?
Running a red light can lead to a traffic ticket in Colorado, but the cost depends on how the violation is recorded. A citation issued by a police officer is treated differently from a ticket generated by an automated red light camera.
Understanding these rules can help drivers determine what a citation means. Red light violations can also have consequences beyond a ticket, particularly when a driver causes an intersection accident that injures someone else.
How Much Is a Red Light Camera Ticket?
Colorado allows local governments to use automated vehicle identification systems, which include red light cameras.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-110.5(4.5), the maximum civil penalty for most red light camera violations is $75, including surcharges. However, this limit does not apply to certain violations in school zones or construction and maintenance zones.
A camera ticket also differs from a traditional traffic citation in another important way. Colorado does not assess driver’s license points for a violation detected by an automated enforcement system.
How Do Red Light Cameras Work?
A red light camera records information when a vehicle enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red.
The system may capture images or video showing the vehicle, license plate, driver, and traffic signal. The information is then reviewed before a citation is issued.
Colorado places several limits on automated enforcement. For example, signs must notify drivers that an automated system is being used, and there are rules governing how citations are delivered.
What Happens if a Police Officer Gives You a Ticket?
A red light ticket issued after a traffic stop is different from an automated camera citation.
An officer may stop a driver after seeing the vehicle enter an intersection against a red signal. The citation is then handled through the regular traffic court system rather than the automated enforcement process.
The amount owed can include the applicable fine and court-related costs. A traditional moving violation may also affect a driver’s record in ways that a camera citation does not.
Drivers should read the citation carefully because it will state the alleged violation and explain how to respond.
What Does Colorado Law Require at a Red Light?
Drivers facing a steady red signal generally must stop before entering the intersection.
Under Colorado’s traffic signal law, a driver must stop at the marked stop line or, if there is none, before entering the crosswalk or intersection.
A driver may make a right turn on red after stopping unless a sign prohibits it. The driver must still yield to pedestrians and other traffic that has the right-of-way.
A red arrow has different rules. Drivers should follow the direction of the traffic signal and any posted signs at the intersection.
What Happens if You Accumulate Too Many Traffic Violation Points?
Colorado assigns driver’s license points for certain moving violations, including qualifying red light violations cited by police officers. Automated red light camera citations do not result in license points.
Drivers who accumulate too many points within a designated period may face a license suspension. The applicable thresholds depend on factors such as the driver’s age and the period during which the points were assessed.
A driver’s existing record can therefore affect the consequences of an officer-issued citation, even when the fine itself is relatively modest.
Can Running a Red Light Affect a Car Accident Claim?
A red light violation can also become important if a driver causes an intersection crash.
Traffic camera footage, witness statements, police reports, and vehicle damage may help establish which driver entered the intersection against the signal. A traffic citation can be part of the evidence, but fault in a civil injury claim depends on the facts of the crash.
Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system. An injured person who shares some responsibility for a crash may have their compensation reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Contact the Denver Intersection Accident Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Running a red light can have consequences far more serious than a traffic fine. When a driver disregards a signal and causes a collision, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists may suffer injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time away from work.
At Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how quickly an intersection accident can disrupt your life. Our Denver car accident attorneys can help you evaluate the circumstances of a crash, address disputes over fault, and pursue compensation for qualifying losses.
If you were injured by a driver who ran a red light, contact us today at (720) 613-9706 for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn what legal options may be available.
