The legality of photo/video enforcement of traffic laws varies from state to state and between the various jurisdictions inside a state depending on how the laws are written. Below is a list of the laws by state. DISCLAIMER: We are not attorneys and are not responsible for mistakes and/or outdated information. The most current information has been found on IIHS and GSHA.
Not all camera looking devices at intersections are speed or red light cameras. Review the article on cameras before adding them to the map.
State table
Legend
| Not Legal Statewide | NOT LEGAL |
| Legal in Certain Jurisdictions | SEE NOTES BELOW |
| Legal Statewide | LEGAL STATEWIDE |
| No State Law | [field is left blank] |
Notes by state
Alabama
Red light cameras are limited to Montgomery. Speed cameras have no laws regulating them.
Arkansas
Photo radar only in school zones and railroad crossings with an officer present at the time of the infraction. There are no current programs.
Colorado
Speed cameras are restricted to construction zones, school zones, residential areas, and roads adjacent to municipal parks.
Illinois
- See the list of communities where red light cameras are legal here .
- Mobile speed cameras may be in use in construction zones statewide; these cameras should not be mapped.
- Municipalities with a population of 1,000,000 or more may use speed cameras in safety zones (one-eighth mile from school or park). The City of Chicago is currently the only Illinois community to qualify for speed camera placement.
Iowa
There are no statewide laws for red light or speed cameras in Iowa. All existing cameras operate under programs directed by local ordinance.
Indiana
The only cameras allowed under state law are for toll booth areas only for purposes of non payment enforcement.
Maryland
Speed cameras are authorized in school zones and work zones statewide (and in residential areas in Montgomery County ONLY), but each jurisdiction (county/city) must pass legislation to implement them. The Maryland State Highway Administration has detailed FAQs on Speed Cameras on its website.
Red Light cameras are authorized statewide, but require SHA approval before installation on state roads. The Maryland SHA has details about Red Light cameras on its website.
The Maryland page has details on local camera systems.
Missouri
Speed: No state law, but there may be programs operating under Missouri DOT policy.
Red light: No state law, but there may be programs operating under Missouri DOT policy on state maintained roadways. Local municipalities may be operating under their own policies.
Montana
All localities are prohibited from using red light cameras. However, rail crossings are excepted from this law.
Nebraska
There are no statewide laws regulating red light or speed cameras in Nebraska. However, there are NO cameras present in any municipality and all cameras added to the map should be removed.
Nevada
Nevada state law prohibits use of imaging equipment unless it is hand-held by an officer or installed in a vehicle or facility of a law enforcement agency. Traditional enforcement penalties: $1,000 maximum fine and 4 points. There are no current programs.
New Jersey
New Jersey is piloting a Red-Light-Running (RLR) camera program at authorized intersections in select municipalities throughout the state. Further information, including a document describing all authorized intersections within the state, can be found here.
Due to the controversial nature of this program, some municipalities may have outlawed red-light cameras after initially applying for and being authorized to use them. Such places may appear on the list of authorized intersections, but no longer have cameras there.
At the time of this Wiki's writing, the following municipalities are known to have outlawed red-light cameras, despite having intersections authorized by the state for their use:
- Brick township, Ocean County
Editors should be advised to double-check, as best as possible, the actual status of red-light cameras marked in Waze before approving them.
New Mexico
No state law specifically authorizing automated enforcement. NMDOT has banned red light cameras and mobile enforcement vans on state and federal roadways. State law requires counties and municipalities using camera enforcement to post a warning sign and a warning beacon.
New York
Red light (NY)
Red light cameras are permitted only in the following locations (Vehicle & Traffic Law Article 24):
- Cities with a population greater than one million (currently NYC only) are permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 150 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-A(a)1.).
- Nassau County is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 100 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B(a)1.).
- City of Yonkers is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 25 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B*2(a)1.)
- City of Buffalo is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 50 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B*3(a)1.)
- City of Rochester is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 50 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B*4(a)1.)
- Suffolk County is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 100 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B*5(a)1.)
- City of Syracuse is permitted to install and operate red light cameras at up to 25 intersections (Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111-B*6(a)1.)
Speed (NY)
On August 1, 2013 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that permits New York City to establish a five-year demonstration program to monitor school speed zones in New York City with speed cameras and to allow evidence captured on camera to be used to impose liability for speeding. This new law will enhance the safety of children, pedestrians and drivers in New York City school speed zones by encouraging drivers to drive with caution through these areas and supplement law enforcement efforts to catch violations and prevent accidents caused by speeding. (Governor's press release)
New York City was originally authorized to set up 20 cameras in school zones. (There was some discrepancy in media reports if this means they are limited to just 20 cameras or if they can put multiple cameras in each of 20 school zones.) These cameras can be moved from school zone to school zone as the city sees fit. The cameras can only operate during school hours and/or after-school activities. This is a 5 year pilot program - the law is set to expire on August 1, 2018 unless it is extended by the New York State Legislature.
On June 25, 2014 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that permits up to 245 speed cameras, including vehicle mounted mobile speed cameras throughout New York City and Long Island. The bill would authorize up to 69 cameras in Suffolk County and 56 in Nassau County. New York City already has 20 of the devices and stands to get 120 more. (CBS NY)
North Carolina
Red Light Cameras are only legal in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Wilimington at this time.
Ohio
See the list of communities where cameras are legal here.
Oregon
On July 20, 2015 HB 2621 was signed into law, allowing fixed speed cameras in “urban high crash corridors” within the city limits of Portland. They must be preceded by a sign announcing “Traffic Laws Photo Enforced” that also provides drivers with their current speed between 100 and 400 yards before the camera.
Several cities are allowed to operate manned speed cameras but these are not fixed-location radar and should not be designated in Waze.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is currently the only city with active red light cameras, however red light cameras are also legal in a few cites and suburban towns. See the section on Speed and Red-Light Cameras on the Pennsylvania state page for more information.
Tennessee
Each municipality may decide to use "unmanned traffic enforcement cameras", but they are all governed by state-wide laws contained in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55, Chapter 8, Sub-Section 198 (TCA § 55-8-198).
- All cameras must be signed (TCA § 55-8-198(c)(2))
- No Cameras allowed on Interstates except for temporary work zones (TCA § 55-8-198(f))
- No cameras allowed near speed limit changes of 10 mph or greater (TCA § 55-8-198(l))
Texas
Although the state allows red light cameras, some communities are not using them. Some cities (Houston) have used them, but then decided to take them down.
Vermont
Speed and red light cameras are NOT legal in the State of Vermont.
Virginia
Each town, independent city, and county may elect to install a limited number of red-light cameras pursuant to state law, but not all jurisdictions have done so. (Va. Code § 15.2-968.1)
Washington
Both Red Light and Speed Cameras are legal across the entire state of Washington except in Whatcom County
Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin prohibits the use of any Speed or Red Light cameras.