January 17, 2014
Are Red Light Cameras Legal in Missouri?
If you’ve ever opened a piece of mail and found a ticket for running a red light, you can relate to many frustrated drivers across Missouri. There are currently about 30 communities throughout Missouri that use red-light camera programs.
Many of us have asked if red light cameras are legal in Missouri, whether or not we have received a ticket from one of the in-question cameras.
Are Red Light Cameras Legal?
Every state is able to enact their own legislation either permitting, limiting or prohibiting the use of cameras as a form of automated enforcement for traffic violations. The red light camera systems are designed to detect traffic violations and deter red light runners, but several court proceedings have questioned the legality of such programs.
As of January 2014, 501 communities across the U.S. use red light camera programs.
In some states, enforcement of red light cameras can be limited to a particular area. Each state defines it’s program’s specifications.
- 9 states currently prohibit the use of red light cameras
- Red light cameras are legal in 21 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands
To answer those of you who ask if red light cameras are legal in Missouri, we must explain. There has been recent litigation about the legality of red light camera in Missouri. As of this writing, the use of red light cameras are on hold in Missouri.
Several towns and communities, including KCMO, have suspended the enforcement of red light camera programs until further notice. For now, each town has its own ordinances. In some Missouri cities, the legal proceedings have caused a stall, meaning that red light runners might not see a ticket from the cameras- for now.
Our lawyers are experienced in all areas of traffic law. If you got caught on camera running a red light, call Daniel C. Miller Attorney at (816) 875-0470 today.