Red light cameras are increasingly common at busy intersections, and their purpose is to deter dangerous driving and reduce collisions. But many drivers ask the same question: why are there warning signs at some intersections and not at others?
The answer depends on local and state laws. In California, for example, there’s a specific statute—VC § 21455.5(a)(1)—that governs where red light camera warning signs must be posted. In other states, the rules are much less clear. This article breaks down the purpose of warning signs, the legal requirements behind them, and how you can use them to defend against a ticket.
Why Are There Red Light Camera Warning Signs?
The goal of red light camera warning signs is to provide fair notice to drivers. These signs are meant to ensure that drivers know enforcement is in place so they can make safer decisions approaching intersections.
The law recognizes that posting a sign is one of the most obvious ways to alert drivers. While the most visible option would be to place a sign directly on the traffic signal itself, statutes often allow flexibility, and cities take advantage of that.
What the California Law Says
According to VC § 21455.5(a)(1):
“Warning signs must be posted at each camera-equipped intersection and visible to traffic approaching from all directions, or at all the main entrances to town including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges, and state highway routes.”
This means California cities have two options:
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Post warning signs at the intersections where cameras are installed, visible to all approaching traffic.
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Place signs at all main entrances to the city, including freeways, bridges, and highways.
The law requires signs, but it doesn’t always require them to be at the exact location of the intersection.
How Close Do Signs Have to Be?
One of the gray areas in the law is distance from the intersection. California statutes are vague on how close a warning sign must be. The decision is often left up to cities.
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Signs might be posted directly at the intersection—mounted on a traffic signal pole.
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They might also be placed further back, at the entrance to a city or highway off-ramp.
According to Caltrans design standards, signs must be at least 30 inches wide, 40 inches high, and 6 feet off the ground. But there’s no firm requirement on distance from the enforced intersection.
This means drivers may not see a warning sign until well before or after they’ve passed through an area.
Why Placement Matters
If warning signs are hidden, damaged, too small, or posted far away, it can affect the legitimacy of the enforcement program. Courts in some cases have dismissed tickets when drivers proved they didn’t receive the required notice.
For example, if you receive a red light photo ticket, you should check whether:
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Signs were posted at the intersection.
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Signs were posted at city entrances or highway ramps.
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Signs were the correct size and height.
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Signs were visible, not blocked by trees, construction, or other signs.
If you can show that warning signs weren’t posted in accordance with VC § 21455.5(a)(1), you may be able to contest the ticket.
The Purpose Behind Warning Sign Laws
Cities and states include warning sign requirements for several reasons:
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Transparency: Drivers deserve to know when they’re under camera enforcement.
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Deterrence: If drivers see a warning sign, they are more likely to stop on yellow rather than risk running a red.
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Public Perception: Signs help reduce criticism that cameras are “money traps” rather than safety tools.
Why Some Intersections Don’t Have Signs
Even when laws require them, cities often have discretion in how they post signs. Some common practices include:
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Placing only citywide entrance signs instead of at every intersection.
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Installing signs at freeway exits leading into camera-enforced areas.
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Using “Photo Enforced” plaques mounted under traffic lights at only select intersections.
This explains why some intersections appear to lack warning signs, even though enforcement is active.
Contesting a Ticket Using Signage Issues
If you’ve been cited at a red light camera intersection, one defense strategy is to challenge whether proper warning signs were posted.
Steps to take:
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Return to the Location – Revisit the intersection where the violation occurred.
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Document with Photos – Capture images of missing, blocked, or damaged signs.
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Compare with Standards – Check whether the signs meet Caltrans or state size/height requirements.
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Present in Court – Argue that the lack of proper signage means you weren’t given fair notice.
Warning Signs in Other States
Not every state requires red light camera signs. For example:
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New York City: Publishes camera locations online but doesn’t require signs at every intersection.
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Florida: Some cities place signs at city entrances instead of each intersection.
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Illinois: Requires clear signage at camera locations.
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Texas: Before banning cameras statewide, intersections had to be signed.
Because laws vary, it’s important for drivers to check their own state’s vehicle code.
Safety vs. Revenue Debate
Supporters of warning signs argue they encourage compliance and reduce crashes. Critics argue that cities sometimes minimize signage to maximize revenue. This debate continues in many states where drivers complain that warning signs are hard to see or inconsistently placed.
The underlying question: are cameras really about safety or money? Warning signs are one of the clearest ways cities can show they are prioritizing safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are red light camera warning signs required everywhere?
A: No. Some states mandate them, while others only require public notice or online lists.
Q: How big are the signs supposed to be?
A: In California, Caltrans requires them to be at least 30 inches wide, 40 inches tall, and 6 feet off the ground.
Q: Can I fight a ticket if there was no sign?
A: Yes—if state law requires signs and they were missing, hidden, or not compliant, you may have grounds to dispute.
Q: Why do some intersections have signs and others don’t?
A: Cities often use flexibility in the law, posting signs at city entrances or highway off-ramps instead of at every intersection.
Q: Do warning signs guarantee I won’t get a ticket?
A: No. They are meant as notice, not protection. If you run a red light, the camera will still record the violation.
Conclusion
Red light camera warning signs play a vital role in traffic enforcement. They provide legal notice, improve transparency, and give drivers a fair chance to adjust their behavior. But laws vary widely by state, and even within states, cities have flexibility in where and how signs are posted.
If you’ve been ticketed, checking whether proper signs were in place can be an important part of your defense. Missing, hidden, or non-compliant signage can sometimes invalidate a citation.
For drivers, the key lesson is this: always watch for warning signs when entering a city or approaching a busy intersection—but don’t assume that the absence of a sign means there are no cameras.
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