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Red-light camera tickets in Canada: What you need to know

If you're a driver living in a Canadian city that uses red-light cameras, approaching an intersection may feel like a test to make sure you're following all the rules. Roll through an intersection just a bit too late, and you may get an unwelcome surprise in the form of a red-light camera ticket in your mailbox weeks later.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of such a ticket, it’s not just frustrating — you may also be wondering, what are the consequences? Will this ticket do more than sting your wallet? And how will it affect your  driving record and your car insurance?

What is a red-light camera?

A red-light camera acts much like a police officer working 24/7 at an intersection to catch motorists who fail to stop when the light is red. Once it’s installed, it will automatically snap a photo whenever a vehicle runs a red light. The picture it captures shows the vehicle’s licence plate, so a ticket can be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner.

Cities across Canada use red-light cameras not for the purpose of issuing more traffic tickets, but to help change drivers’ behaviour and make intersections safer for everyone.

That’s why you’ll see official signs alerting you to the presence of a red-light camera, so you know to slow down when approaching the intersection in case the light changes — and avoid getting a ticket.1 Most municipalities even have a page on their website showing a map of all red-light camera locations in your area.2

But do red-light cameras really increase safety? Yes, they do: Studies suggest that red-light cameras not only reduce the number of crashes at intersections, they also have a substantial “spillover effect” (that is, they have an effect on how drivers behave at nearby intersections that don't have red-light cameras).3

Will a red-light camera ticket affect my insurance?

Getting a red-light camera ticket is quite a costly inconvenience — in Toronto, for example, the fine for a red-light camera ticket totals $325.4

A red-light camera ticket won’t directly impact your car insurance though because they’re issued to the vehicle, not the driver—which means they won’t lead to demerit points or show up on your driving record.

Keep in mind, though, that this only applies to red-light camera tickets. If, for example, you run a red light and cause an accident, the police may decide to give you a ticket for your failure to stop. Unlike a red-light camera ticket, this ticket is issued to you, the driver, rather than to your vehicle.

This means it will appear on your driving record, which could impact your insurance. And, of course, the accident itself would likely be an at-fault accident, which would definitely have an effect on your insurance premiums.

Tips for preventing red-light camera tickets

The best way to avoid getting a red-light camera ticket? Focus on driving safely and obeying all the rules of the road. You won’t just reduce your chances of getting a ticket — you’ll also be contributing to overall road safety.

Here are some practical tips to help you stay ticket-free around red-light cameras:

Slow down when approaching an intersection. Reducing your speed gives you more time to react if the light changes.

Understand what a yellow light means. A yellow light isn’t meant as a signal to speed up—it’s a warning that the light is about to turn red, and you should stop if it’s safe to do so.

Stay alert while driving. Being aware and alert helps you react more quickly to changing traffic lights and unexpected situations.

Keep your brakes maintained.Well-maintained brakes can make all the difference when you need to stop quickly and unexpectedly and it's safe to do so.

 Remember, while a red-light camera might catch you, the goal isn't to issue tickets—it's to encourage safe driving. So, the next time you're approaching an intersection, remember that stopping at a red light isn't just a rule, it's a smart decision for your safety and that of others on the road.

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