Citations carry a $50 fine with an additional $50 penalty if the fine is not paid within a specified period. No driver's license or insurance points are assessed. Net proceeds go to public schools. Those who believe they received the citation by mistake have the right to appeal.
Overview
The Town of Cary uses cameras at intersections in an effort to reduce crashes by ticketing drivers who run red lights. The state Legislature passed NC General Statutes 160A-300.2 in 2001 allowing cities and towns to catch red light runners this way.
Cameras operating:
- Cary Towne Boulevard at Convention Drive / Principal Lane
- Tryon Road at Regency Parkway
- Tryon Road at Crescent Green Way
- Northwest Maynard Road and Chapel Hill Road
- High House Road at Prestonwood Drive
- Walnut Street and Dillard Drive
- Maynard Road at Walnut Street
- Kildaire Farm Road at Cary Parkway
- Kildaire Farm Road at High Meadow Drive
- Cary Parkway and High Meadow Drive
- Maynard Road and Kildaire Farm Road (both roads)
- Cary Parkway at Kildaire Farm Road
- Cary Parkway at High House Road
- Harrison Avenue at Maynard Road
- Walnut Street at Meeting Street
- Harrison Avenue and Weston Parkway
Selection of Locations
The Town of Cary installed red light cameras at a total of 15 intersections. The Police and Engineering departments chose locations based on criteria such as:
Payments
Return envelopes for payment are included with citations. Please make payment by check, money order or credit card to SafeLight Cary. Payments cannot be processed at Town Hall. You may also pay online by credit card.
Citation Questions
– Call Redflex Traffic Systems toll free at 1 (877)
847-2338 weekdays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
How the Cameras Work
The system uses magnetic loops imbedded in pavement. It is triggered by
any vehicle passing over the loops above a minimum speed at a specified
time after the signal has turned red. The camera records the date, time
of day, speed, and time elapsed since the light turned red. The Town will
review photos showing purported violations to remove any that are not
clear-cut. Then the company operating Cary's system will mail out notices
of the violations. With citations will be photos showing the vehicle before
the stop line and beyond the stop line, plus one showing the license plate.
Vehicle owners are
responsible for violations unless they can show that someone else was
in the "care, custody or control" of the vehicle when the violation
occurred. The owner must provide this information, including an affidavit,
within 30 days of receiving notice of the citation. By appointment, those
who receive citations may view video images at the SafeLight Cary office
at 315 N. Academy St., Suite 204. Call (919) 388-9129 for the required
appointment. An appeals panel meets
monthly to review objections to citations or penalties. Appointments are
required. Learn more about appealing a citation. Education campaign
Contesting Citations
State law requires that "clear proceeds" go to the county
school system. This is any money left over after buying or leasing
equipment, paying a company to operate the system, and allowing for any
administrative expenses.
In conjunction with the camera system, the Town of Cary educates drivers
about the dangers of running red lights.
More
on traffic signals in Cary
Contacts
For questions about citations
or other red light camera issues:
Brad Hudson
Project manager-SafeLight Cary
Cary Police Department
PO Box 8005
Cary, NC 27512-8005
(919) 462-3430
Brad.Hudson@townofcary.org
Chris Davis
Support Services Manager
Cary Police Department
(919) 462-3813
(919) 460-4904 (fax)
Chris.Davis@townofcary.org