Are There Any Red Light Cameras In Santa Clarita?

Drivers will not find an active red-light camera enforcement program in Santa Clarita. After ending the program in 2015, the city introduced a different enforcement tool the following year: 15 blue lights at seven intersections that allow sheriff’s deputies to see when a traffic signal is red and identify possible violations.

However, other cities in Southern California still use red light cameras. If you drive outside Santa Clarita, you could receive a ticket from one of those programs.

If you were in a crash at a Santa Clarita intersection, what the city uses for traffic enforcement still matters for your case. In 2016, the city installed blue-light indicators at seven major intersections after discontinuing its red-light camera program. Understanding how they work can affect your situation.

What Replaced Red Light Cameras In Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita removed its red light cameras in 2015 after reviewing its costs, declining citation revenue, enforcement issues, and mixed safety results. The City Council voted 3–2 to let its contract with Redflex Traffic Systems expire. That year, the program was projected to cost the city roughly $210,000, and citation collection rates had declined.

The city replaced the cameras with 15 blue light indicators at seven major intersections. These include sites on McBean Parkway and Bouquet Canyon Road. Each blue light connects to the traffic signal at that location. When the signal turns red, the blue light near the pole illuminates. A sheriff’s deputy across the street can see that the light has changed and spot any driver who runs it.

These blue lights are not cameras. They do not take photos or send tickets in the mail. A sheriff’s deputy watches the intersection and must pull over the driver in person.

That distinction matters to local drivers, but it does not reduce the legal risk. If a red light violation leads to a crash, the driver who ran the light may face civil liability. That means courts can hold them financially responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.

How Red-light Violations Affect Car Accident Liability

Under California Vehicle Code §21453, a driver facing a steady red signal generally must stop at the applicable limit line, crosswalk, or intersection before proceeding as permitted by law. Breaking that rule and causing a crash may create a rebuttable presumption that the violating driver failed to exercise due care.

Civil liability is legal responsibility for the victim’s damages. A violation like this may still establish a rebuttable presumption that the driver failed to exercise due care.

Negligence per se may create a rebuttable presumption that a driver failed to exercise care when a statutory violation satisfies all requirements of California Evidence Code §669. The claimant must still establish the remaining elements of the claim, including causation and damages, and comparative fault may still apply.

Insurers may still dispute liability, including questions about the signal color, when a vehicle entered the intersection, or whether another factor contributed to the crash. Working with Santa Clarita accident lawyers gives you a way to counter these tactics and seek to hold the at-fault driver accountable.

No red-light camera means nothing is recorded automatically. Without that footage, the proof needed to support the presumption must come from other sources, and those sources become harder to secure with each passing day after the crash.

Proving Fault For A Red-light Crash Without Camera Footage

Proving fault without traffic cameras at an intersection may be challenging. You will need additional evidence to show that the driver violated a traffic rule. You must gather that evidence quickly before it disappears:

• Police Report: The officer’s notes may indicate whether a citation was issued to the other driver. In insurance negotiations, a citation can carry significant weight. Courts, however, place limits on how citations can serve as direct proof.
• Witness Statements: People who saw the crash can say which car had the green light. Independent witnesses carry real weight with insurers and courts.
• Dashcam or Security Footage: A nearby business or another driver may have caught the crash on video. Businesses and drivers often erase or quickly record over this footage.
• Crash Impact Pattern: A T-bone crash, where one car hits the side of another, can help establish the angle of impact and clarify who was at fault.

Seeing a doctor or chiropractor right after the crash can help document reported symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment. Insurers and courts may later consider medical records alongside other evidence when evaluating injury causation and severity.

If you find yourself thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer,” choose one who has handled intersection crashes before. A lawyer may help identify, request, and preserve available evidence before relevant records or footage are lost or destroyed. What a citation means for your civil claim and what to do when the police issue no ticket are questions worth clarifying early.

Case Results: Red Light Collision Settlements

Red light violations don’t just result in traffic citations. When they cause a crash, the financial and physical toll on victims can be severe. The following case results reflect outcomes we’ve secured for clients injured in red-light-related and rear-end collisions, illustrating the range of circumstances these cases can involve, from disputed liability to catastrophic injury.

Auto Vs. Auto — $5,000,000

A couple was driving through an intersection when a work truck ran a red light and struck the side of their vehicle. Liability and the extent of their injuries were disputed throughout the case. After two years of litigation, we secured a substantial settlement on their behalf.

Auto Vs. Auto — $3,500,000

While our client was waiting at a red light, a distracted motorist crashed into the rear of the vehicle with significant force. The impact caused serious spinal injuries that ultimately required surgery. We resolved the case successfully only three days before the scheduled trial date.

Car Accident — $1,470,000

Our client was stopped for a red light when an inattentive driver struck her vehicle from behind. She sustained spinal injuries that required extensive medical treatment, including surgery. After receiving the care she needed, our client was grateful to have regained her health and to have obtained the justice she sought.

Note: Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Clarita Traffic Enforcement

Santa Clarita does not currently use red-light cameras at its intersections, although some California jurisdictions operate automated red-light enforcement programs. State ticket laws still apply to every citation issued in the area, and the rules on fines, driving records, and penalties are the same as elsewhere in California.

What Happens If I Accidentally Run A Red Light With A Camera Outside Santa Clarita?

California now permits different types of automated red-light enforcement programs. Under Vehicle Code §21455.9, the issuing jurisdiction mails a notice to the registered owner. A first violation carries a $100 civil penalty, and the DMV does not assess a violation point. Procedures and consequences may differ for systems operated under other provisions of California law.

Can I Ignore A Red Light Camera Ticket In California?

No. Do not ignore an automated red-light notice. The consequences depend on the enforcement program used by the issuing jurisdiction. Notices issued under Vehicle Code §21455.9 follow a civil administrative process and may result in authorized late penalties, but they do not result in driver ‘s-license suspension or revocation.

Do The Blue Lights In Santa Clarita Automatically Issue Tickets?

No. The blue lights are not cameras and do not automatically issue tickets. The city installed them to illuminate when the corresponding traffic signal turns red, allowing sheriff’s deputies positioned around the intersection to identify possible red-light violations. A deputy who observes a violation may then conduct a traffic stop and issue a citation.

Do Red Light Camera Tickets Affect My Driving Record?

Not necessarily. For automated red-light violations issued under California Vehicle Code § 21455.9, the violation carries a civil penalty. It does not result in a DMV violation point or driver’s license suspension or revocation. However, California jurisdictions may also operate red-light camera systems under Vehicle Code § 21455.5, which can have different consequences.

How Much Is A Red Light Ticket In California?

For a conventional conviction, California law sets a $100 base fine, with additional assessments that may increase the total. Automated violations issued under CVC §21455.9 use a separate civil penalty schedule beginning at $100 for a first violation within three years.

For a conventional conviction under CVC §21453(a) or (c), California law sets a $100 base fine, with additional assessments and court charges that may increase the total.

Does A Red Light Ticket Prove Fault In A Car Accident?

A red-light citation alleges a traffic violation, but the citation alone does not establish civil liability for a crash. Liability in an injury claim depends on the available evidence and the applicable elements of negligence. Additional evidence is needed in a civil injury claim to build a complete case. The strength of your claim depends on the quality of that evidence, not solely on whether the police issued a ticket.

What To Do If You’re Injured In A Red-Light Crash In Santa Clarita

If you are injured in a Santa Clarita red-light collision, preserve evidence that may help show what happened. Because the city does not use automated red-light enforcement cameras, other sources of evidence may be especially important.

• Document The Scene: If safe, photograph the traffic signals, lane markings, vehicle positions, and damage.
• Preserve Other Evidence: Save dashcam footage and get contact information from witnesses. Note nearby businesses or properties that may have security cameras.
• Keep Medical And Crash Records: Save medical records, photos, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and any available police report.
• File the Required DMV Report: California generally requires an SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or property damage exceeded $1,000.
• Consider Getting Legal Help: If you were injured or fault is disputed, you may want to discuss the available evidence and your legal options with a personal injury law firm.

Explore Your Options After A Santa Clarita Red-Light Crash

If you were hurt at a Santa Clarita intersection, Arash Law is ready to review your case at no cost. An attorney can review any settlement offers you receive. This helps you understand whether those offers cover your actual losses.

You may not find useful free advice from a red light accident lawyer online. Our free case review lets us look at your specific facts.

Many clients wonder whether lawyers are paid only if they win. AK Law handles most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless your case results in a recovery.

You have already taken the time to understand your rights. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free consultation and speak with an attorney about your options.