Does Nevada Issue Traffic-Light-Camera Citations?

I notice that many of the largest Las Vegas intersections have cameras above them. But does the state issue traffic tickets based on the cameras recording various traffic-light infractions?

This is a fairly frequent question, usually from people who live in the nearly 350 U.S. communities that use red-light cameras.

But for Nevada, the answer is no. Nevada traffic cameras do not take photographs of infractions, so no tickets are issued drivers who, for example, run red lights or make illegal right turns on red.

A 1999 statewide law bans the use of remotely controlled cameras to gather evidence against drivers who run red lights or are involved in accidents. Nevada allows traffic enforcement to use cameras, but only if they’re directly connected to a cop in the field.

The issue has reared its head in every legislative session since 2005. But it has always been voted down.

Red-light cameras have prompted much debate and some controversy. On one side, studies have shown that cameras can decrease red-light running by 40%-50% and reduce the number of injury crashes by 25%-30%. The non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a nationwide study of red-light fatalities in which it compared 62 cities with populations of more than 200,000 with red-light cameras to those without. Traffic fatalities in 14 cities with red-light cameras fell by 35% between the study periods. The rate dropped by only 14% percent in 48 cities without the cameras.

On the other side, opponents argue that red-light cameras scare drivers into more sudden stops at yellow lights, which actually increases rear-end collisions. A comment we came across from a Californian attests to this, declaring that crossing major intersections can be like "flying through an asteroid belt with people desperately accelerating or slamming on their brakes in frantic fear of an uncontestable fine." Many opponents believe that the red-light cameras address not a safety issue, but a revenue issue, and are an abuse of police powers.

Major intersections throughout Nevada are under video-traffic-camera surveillance, but they're used for surveillance purposes only, helping commuters and drivers to make travel decisions based on road conditions. They’re one part of NDOT’s statewide network of Intelligent Transportation Systems, including freeway digital message signs and Highway Advisory Radio.

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Donzack Dec-29-2021

Adjusting

I don’t have a problem with driving near traffic control devices in Vegas. I think local driving is pretty good.I do have to adjust to your wider, faster highways with nitrous equipped, ten foot high, nascar wannabe driven pickup trucks. Also, it seems that I can’t get on your highways without witnessing a crash or a police officer taking a crash report. And I don’t miss the Chicago potholes.

jay Dec-29-2021

Tax

I detest red light cameras and photo radar. They do nothing to deter bad driving behaviours, however the universal truth is that I can control my rate of speed, but I can’t control the rate of my property tax. If everything hits general revenue, bring on the cameras everywhere and make it a cash cow and lower everyone’s property tax. Heck with all the visitors that Nevada gets it won’t be the locals suffering under the camera regime but they will reap the benefits of the lower property taxes.

Jackie Dec-29-2021

@ Jay

You must be referring to Clark County property taxes.
The rest of Nevada Counties are not so stupid.

When property taxes in Clark County go up due to increased property values, Clark County instantly raises property taxes.  When property values go down in Clark County, well,it takes an act from Congress to lower them.  In other words they, the County Commissioners will never, ever, give up one penny of revenue.

Buy property in another Nevada County and move there.
Both Nye and Lincoln Counties are a short commute to Las Vegas.

Jerome Sinkovec Dec-29-2021

Right on Red?

You refer to illegal right turns on red. Is Nevada a state that does not allow right hand turns after a full stop on a red light if traffic provides an adequate space to make the turn?

Kevin Lewis Dec-29-2021

They've been shot down everywhere

A driver ticketed this way can simply appear in court and demand that his accuser testify against him. If that accuser is a camera...end of story. Dismissed. (For that matter, it's an effective tactic if you were pulled over by an actual cop--much of the time, the cop will be unavailable; instant kick.)

Everywhere I've been where these gotcha cams have been installed, the ruling class was very very happy with the added revenue--until people started contesting the tickets. Then, traffic court calendars became clogged. Though defendants might have had to post bail, the city/county couldn't go out and partaaaay with that money--and more often than not, had to give it back.

What has always bothered me is that this is always sold as a safety improvement move, when it's really just a "revenue enhancer." And the fine amounts are determined by "legislators" who make $100K/year + bribes and think that $400 is just a flea bite.

Kevin Rough Dec-29-2021

Revenue Generators

These are revenue generators, nothing more.

About 15 years ago, I was driving in DC on a street where I knew they had speed cameras.  I set my cruise control on 23, 2 mph below the speed limit of 25.  About a month later, I got a ticket stating I was doing 38.  There was absolutely no way.  But it would have cost me more than the $50 that the ticket cost to fight it so I paid it.  I now avoid driving in DC as much as possible.

jay Dec-29-2021

@Jackie

I am a Canadian resident and we have speed on red, and random vehicles parked at the sides of busy roads taking pictures. The only good news is that they send the ticket to the registered owner and it does not apply demerit points. Incidentally we only are required to have rear plates so there is no determination of who the driver is. We also have traffic cameras at the top of most intersections. These are used in an AI manner to control the timing of the lights based on time of day and the amount of traffic. They can recall video for accident determination but this mainly happens when a fatality occurs - trying to collect the video to fight a ticket in court is like pulling hens teeth. I would really like them to start using this to track stolen vehicles and plates, people with outstanding warrants. We too are market based property taxes but they modify the % increase to address the revenue shortfall vs an automatic increase against property value. Its more for equity btwn properties.

O2bnVegas Dec-29-2021

No ticketing

My state has traffic light cameras to monitor traffic congestion only.  The state prohibits monitoring of traffic violations for ticketing (red light, speeding, etc.) though some folks think it is for that.

I think "red light cameras" is one of those 'great ideas' with unintended consequences as mentioned: Repairs, accuracy of who reads them, disputes, court congestion, etc.

Whatever happened to safe and courteous driving for the sake of safety and courtesy?  

To address Jerome's question: My state (not Nevada) allows right on red when fully stopped (except where sign prohibits) etc.  What I HATE is the RED Right Turn BLINKING (or not) Arrow.  I'm OK with the Yellow Left Turn Arrow, but the RED Right (sometimes) Blinking Arrow has even confused some Safe Driving Class inst. (for insur. discounts).  The manual says turn if nothing coming, the instructor said "NEVER go against a red light".  Tweaking of the R/Y/G timing could fix that in situations of low traffic, say at night.  JMHO.

Question of the Day - 29 December 2021

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