FAQs • Prince George's County, MD • CivicEngage

What is running a red light?: A vehicle must come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, prior to the crosswalk and before entering the intersection, and remain stopped as long as the signal is red. Unless a sign prohibits turning on red, after coming to a complete stop, you may turn right or you may turn left from a one way street to another one-way street. When turning on a red signal, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians and all other traffic. If a vehicle proceeds into the intersection after the signals have turned red, pictures and/or video are then taken. A motorist in the intersection when the signal changes to red (waiting to turn left, for example) is not a red light runner.

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Red Light Enforcement (Police)

1. How much is the fine for running a red light?: The citation is $75.00. Red Light citations do not double or accumulate any interest. Payment is an admission of guilt/liability; however, this Citation will not be a part of your driving record and no points will be assessed.

2. What is running a red light?: A vehicle must come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, prior to the crosswalk and before entering the intersection, and remain stopped as long as the signal is red. Unless a sign prohibits turning on red, after coming to a complete stop, you may turn right or you may turn left from a one way street to another one-way street. When turning on a red signal, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians and all other traffic. If a vehicle proceeds into the intersection after the signals have turned red, pictures and/or video are then taken. A motorist in the intersection when the signal changes to red (waiting to turn left, for example) is not a red light runner.

3. Isn’t the purpose of red light cameras to make money?: No. The objective of photo enforcement is to deter violators, not to generate revenue. Of course as with any law broken a fine is issued and revenue is concomitantly generated. Red light citations do not double or accumulate interest. All a motorist has to do to avoid this fine is follow the law.

4. What company provides the red light camera program in Prince Georges County?: Prince George’s County has a video camera system. Conduent, Incorporated is contracted to provide the red light camera enforcement program and provides all the video camera citations. This company will maintain all equipment related to this program and process all violations captured by the equipment.

5. What are the benefits of red light cameras?: Cameras have been shown to reduce the number of red light violations. In addition to reducing red light running at camera locations, violation reduction also carried over to intersections not equipped with red light cameras.

6. Do red light cameras violate motorist privacy?: No. Driving is a privilege, not a right granted and controlled by state and local laws. By obtaining a drivers license and operating a motor vehicle, a motorist agrees to abide by state and local laws. There is no law that suggests drivers should not be observed on the road or have their violations documented. Red light cameras in the state of Maryland are designed to photograph only a vehicles rear license plate, not the occupants. Only vehicles driven by motorists who violate the law are photographed.

7. Does someone review the photographs before motorists are mailed citations?: Yes. Police officers review every picture to verify the vehicle information and ensure the vehicle is in violation. Citations are then mailed to the vehicle owner only in cases where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt the vehicle ran a red light.