How Many Cities Use Red Light and Speed Cameras?
Automated traffic enforcement using red light and speed cameras is a growing trend worldwide, although its implementation varies significantly by region. These systems are used to deter dangerous driving behavior, improve road safety, and reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths.
Red Light Cameras in the United States
Red light cameras are currently in use in approximately 338 U.S. communities, marking a decline from the over 500 cities that operated such systems a decade ago. These programs are permitted in 22 states and the District of Columbia, with large metro areas like New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. leading the way.
| Rank | City | Approximate Number of Cameras | Camera Types Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York City, NY | 2,200+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Largest U.S. program; 750 school zones covered |
| 2 | Washington, D.C. | 5,000+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Most traffic cameras per capita in the U.S. |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | 527+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Extensive program; significant revenue from fines |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | 33+ | Speed Cameras | New program with income-based fines; 50 cameras planned |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | 33+ | Speed Cameras | Pilot program initiated; fines based on income |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | 300+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Focus on high-risk intersections |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | 100+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Active enforcement in school zones |
| 8 | Denver, CO | 100+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Implemented to reduce accidents |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | 100+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light | Comprehensive citywide coverage |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | 100+ | Speed Cameras, Red Light |
These cameras are typically placed at high-risk intersections and are credited with reducing angle collisions and red light running violations. In some areas, their effectiveness has led to a decrease in the number of cameras needed over time.
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Speed Cameras in the United States
Speed camera programs are in operation in about 195 U.S. cities, with legal authorization in 19 states and the District of Columbia. These cameras are often deployed in school zones, high-accident corridors, and areas where speeding is a persistent problem.
For example, New York City operates over 2,000 speed cameras near schools. Between 2019 and 2021, data showed a 73% drop in speeding violations at fixed locations, highlighting the effectiveness of the system in reducing dangerous driving.
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Global Camera Use: Red Light and Speed Enforcement Worldwide
Worldwide, the number of traffic enforcement cameras far exceeds those in the U.S. Combined, there are more than 118,000 red light and speed cameras around the globe.
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Red light cameras worldwide: Over 19,000
Speed cameras worldwide: Over 80,000
The top countries with the most traffic enforcement cameras include:
| Rank | Country | Red Light Cameras | Speed Cameras | Total Cameras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 1,170 | 14,210 | 15,380 |
| 2 | Italy | 2,321 | 8,104 | 10,425 |
| 3 | United States | 3,974 | 4,001 | 7,975 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 811 | 4,004 | 4,815 |
| 5 | Germany | 408 | 3,869 | 4,277 |
| 6 | France | 720 | 2,969 | 3,689 |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | 482 | 2,109 | 2,591 |
| 8 | Sweden | 0 | 2,487 | 2,487 |
| 9 | Spain | 377 | 1,598 | 1,975 |
| 10 | Turkey | 70 | 1,427 | 1,497 |
| 11 | Austria | 177 | 1,245 | 1,422 |
| 12 | Argentina | 470 | 772 | 1,242 |
| 13 | Belgium | 68 | 1,163 | 1,231 |
| 14 | Finland | 45 | 1,057 | 1,102 |
| 15 | Canada | 774 | 279 | 1,053 |
| 16 | Taiwan | 308 | 712 | 1,020 |
| 17 | Poland | 208 | 534 | 742 |
| 18 | Australia | 335 | 264 | 599 |
| 19 | Morocco | 7 | 548 | 555 |
| 20 | Croatia | 12 | 513 | 525 |
This shows a strong global commitment to improving traffic safety through automated enforcement.
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Legal and Policy Differences
In the U.S., state-level laws govern whether red light and speed cameras can be used. While some states fully embrace these systems, others have banned or heavily restricted them. For example, Texas has prohibited red light cameras, although some cities were allowed to maintain them until contracts expired.
These legal differences make the U.S. a patchwork of enforcement zones, where drivers may face automatic fines in one state but not the next.
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Conclusion
Red light and speed cameras continue to play a major role in promoting road safety in the U.S. and around the world. While their use is growing globally, adoption in the U.S. remains dependent on local and state policy. Cities that do use these systems have often seen measurable improvements in driver behavior and road safety.
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