Frequently Asked Questions

The video footage of suspected violations captured by the cameras are routed through a protected internet connection directly to the Photo Enforcement Officer’s computer for evaluation. The photo enforcement officers reviewing the suspected violations are specially trained in the use of the photo enforcement system, and are police officers who have several years of experience in traffic enforcement including traffic collision investigations. Upon receiving a suspected violation from Red Flex, the officer reviews the video footage which includes the front and back of the vehicle a few seconds before, and after, the suspected violation. If the officer confirms the driver of the vehicle is in violation, they determine if the driver can be positively identified as the registered owner. If the registered owner is the driver, and is positively identified by their Department of motor vehicles photo or other law enforcement photo, they will be issued a citation. If the driver does not appear to be the registered owner(s), the officer does not issue a citation, but requests assistance from the registered owner by mailing a notice of violation to the address listed on the registration. The notice requests the registered owner(s) to provide the driver’s information. If the registered owner is not the driver, and does not respond with information of who the driver is, no citation is issued. If the registered owner does provide the information of the driver, and that driver can be positively identified, the driver will be issued a citation.

Sometimes the red light camera flashes in the intersection for a vehicle that has run a light from another direction. Just because the light flashes, this does not mean it is taking a photo of you. Often times the camera system is checked periodically as part of its maintenance to ensure all the cameras and flashes are working properly. As you can see from above, each suspected violation is carefully reviewed by an officer to determine if a violation exists. There is not automatic issuance of a citation to anyone.

Follow the instructions listed on the notice carefully. Most of the questions you may have are answered on the notice. Court information and options are also available on the Sacramento County Court's website.

Suspected violations are routed to the Police Department daily but are not immediate. Calling the Police department to determine if you were caught, the same day or within a couple days of the violation will not reveal any information. If you think you may have been caught running a red light, wait to see if you receive a violation in the mail. If your address information on your license and vehicle registration is correct, you will be notified by mail.

If you receive a RLPEP citation you can view the video of the violation via the internet by following the directions listed on the citation. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view your violation in the lobby of the Police Department with the information provided on the citation. If after reviewing your citation via the internet, and you still don’t believe that you violated the law, your next opportunity to dispute the violation will be at the court date listed on the citation.

If you receive a citation, you are required to go to court, or pay the fine, as you have been identified as the driver of the vehicle. Even if you sell the vehicle, the citation is issued to an individual not the vehicle; you will be responsible for appearing in court or paying the citation. If you do not appear or pay the fine, the courts may issue a failure to appear notice and send notification to DMV. DMV may suspend your license for failure to appear or pay fines.

Traffic School is not granted automatically at court or during trial. You may contact the Sacramento County Superior Court or go to their website.

Public document related to this program can be found under the heading Red Light Photo Enforcement in our document center. There is no charge for downloading or printing the information.

A picture of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation appears on the Citation/Notice of Violation you receive from the Citrus Heights Police Department. If you receive a citation and were not the driver YOU MUST TAKE ACTION. Contact the Citrus Heights Police Department PRLE Unit at 916-727-5884. Leave complete information including your citation number, the full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and address of the correct driver. The Citrus Heights Police Department will contact the court with the correct driver information. Do NOT send payment to the court if you were NOT the driver. If you fail to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department or do not appear on or before the date listed at the bottom of the citation, additional penalties may be added to your fine and your driver's license may be suspended by DMV.

If you receive a citation, you should view the video of the violation via the internet by following the directions listed on the back of the citation. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the video during normal business hours in the lobby of the Police Department. You will need information provided on the citation. If after reviewing your video you still believe that you did not violate the law, your opportunity to dispute the citation will be at the court date listed on the citation.

If you choose to pay and do not wish to appear in court, choose one of the following ON OR BEFORE your due date/court date from the following website: http://www.saccourt.cagov/traffic/payingfines.aspx

Citations issued by automated enforcement systems (red light cameras) are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the incident or the driver if the R/O was not the driver. The citations are issued by Citrus Heights Police Department and mailed to the address provided by DMV within 15 days of the incident. If you are the owner of the vehicle and were not driving at the time the citation was issued see section below (What if I wasn't driving my car and I received a Notice of Violation?)

When you receive your copy of the citation from the Citrus Heights Police Department it will include a date to appear in court or to pay the bail (fine) amount due. YOU MUST APPEAR OR RESOLVE YOUR CASE BY THE DATE ON YOUR CITATION. Failure to appear or resolve your case will result in additional penalties being added. In addition, the court will send a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driver's license.