Traffic Cameras and Road Sensors Every Driver Should Know

Like it or not, traffic cameras are a fixture on North American roadways, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. Before you get upset about living in a surveillance state, you should know not all of them are there to keep you in line. Some are there to monitor traffic flow for the purpose of timing traffic lights and planning road improvements. Some keep track of road conditions in bad weather so that authorities can issue traffic updates, and some charge tolls on bridges and toll roads.

“Then, there are traffic enforcement cameras,” says insurance expert Melanie Musson. “They operate by capturing a picture of an infraction, gathering information about the car and license plate, and issuing an automatic citation.” If you’re worried about surveillance, these are the cameras you want to watch out for, but how do you tell the difference?

I sought answers from Musson, Ben Michael, an attorney at Michael & Associates, and Gary Goble, a retired police chief who now works for an automated enforcement company. Here’s what they told me.

What Are Traffic Cameras?

They’re just what you think: Traffic cameras are cameras that monitor traffic. Most of them are video cameras, but there are quite a few that take still images. To do its job, a traffic camera has to be mounted above the roadway, either sharing a pole with a traffic light, mounted on its own pole or affixed to an overpass or a toll collection station.

Traffic cameras are nothing new. I had my first encounter with an enforcement camera while driving on a Japanese freeway in the 1990s. The speed limit was an unrealistic 80 km/hour (about 50 mph), and the camera flashed when your speed exceeded 100 km/hour. Because it was stationary, most drivers knew it was there and slowed down as they approached, but since I was new to the country, I maintained my speed and got the flash as I passed by. Two weeks later, I received an image in the mail of myself at the wheel accompanied by a ¥20,000 (about $200 at the time) ticket.

Types of Traffic Cameras

“There are actually quite a few different kinds of traffic cameras, and not all are used for the purpose of catching people breaking the law,” says Michael. Here’s a rundown of the ones you’ll likely spot on North American roadways (assuming you’re keeping a sharp eye out for them).

Traffic monitoring cameras

Traffic monitoring cameras are the benign ones. They are about the size and shape of a home security camera, and they are usually mounted next to traffic lights, on bridges and overpasses, or on their own poles next to roadways. They often incorporate sensors that monitor traffic flow and road conditions, and they don’t flash.

Red light cameras

Did you just see a flash as you sped toward a yellow light, only to have it turn red just before you got to the intersection? A red light camera has nabbed you. This type of camera, which you’ll find mounted on its own pole at a busy intersection, is fairly bulky, consisting of a large camera box and one or two external flashes. It’s connected to an automated ticket issuing system, and it usually sends out the ticket a few weeks after the violation.

Flashing can be distracting to drivers, so modern red light cameras use a different method. “At Verra Mobility,” says Goble, referring to the company for which he works, “a majority of our red light and speed safety cameras are mounted adjacent to a street and on separate poles so that the camera can capture the back of a vehicle and record the license plate (this also helps to reduce privacy concerns as the camera is not looking into vehicles).”

Goble says these cameras are harder to spot than the ones that flash, so they have signage that alerts drivers to the automated enforcement in the region. If you don’t want one to catch you, look for the signs.

Speed cameras

You’ll find fixed versions of these on highways, less-populated back roads and residential streets. They are usually mounted on their own poles on the side of the road or on overpasses, they are smaller than red light cameras, and they don’t always flash. If they do flash, the flash “is brief and only reaches the short distance to the vehicle as to not distract drivers,” says Goble. There are also mobile versions that are attached to police vehicles, but obviously, you won’t be able to spot these until it’s too late.

ANPR cameras

ANPR stands for Automated Number Plate Recognition. You’ll see these cameras at automated toll booths and above expressway toll lanes. If you’re worried about surveillance, these are the cameras you especially want to avoid — unless you’re paying a toll. That can be difficult, because many highway patrol officers and state troopers have them mounted on their vehicles. They can tell the officers much about you and your driving history, and you could get pulled over for an outstanding parking ticket or some other violation even if you’re not doing anything wrong.

ANPR cameras operate in the infrared, and they are usually equipped with an LED cluster to help them see at night. This cluster is a dead giveaway that the camera you see mounted above the roadway or to the side of it is an ANPR one.

How To Avoid Traffic Cameras

The simplest way to avoid traffic cameras is to obey traffic laws! Many evasion techniques, like covering your license plate or tinting your windows to make yourself invisible, are illegal in many states, including California.

One way you can be more aware of traffic cameras in your area that’s not against the law is using GPS. “GPS systems alert drivers to red light cameras. So, even if you’re driving, and you know the way, it can be helpful to plug your destination into GPS, so you can find out about red light cameras before you cut your yellow light coast-through too close,” advises Musson.

I don’t recommend speeding at all, but if you have a heavy foot, your best bet it to keep an eye out for cameras, and if you spot one — no matter what kind it is — slow down.

FAQ

Do all traffic lights have cameras?

No, that would be a nightmare both for drivers and for law enforcement. Cameras are typically deployed only at busy intersections where red light violations are common. In the county in which I live, only one intersection has a camera, although more may be coming in the future.

Do the cameras on traffic lights give tickets?

Yes, traffic cameras can automatically issue tickets, and the accompanying imagery is “strong evidence that is very difficult to dispute in court,” according to Michael. However, Musson states that, because these tickets are not in the same category as a ticket given at the discretion of a human law enforcement officer, they usually do not affect insurance.

Do traffic cameras flash?

Some do, but not all of them, because there’s not always a need. “This can be based on location, the equipment, or the times a program may be enforced,” says Goble.

About the Experts

• Melanie Musson is a published insurance and finance expert. She specializes in car insurance and works with InsuranceProviders.com.
• Gary Goble is a retired police chief turned client success manager at Verra Mobility. He helps support communities that implement automated enforcement programs across the country.
• Ben Michael is an attorney with Michael & Associates, based in Dallas TX.

Sources

• Improv: People Are Outsmarting Traffic Cameras, but Is It Worth the Risk?; (2025)
• Radenso: What’s the difference between traffic cameras, red light cameras, and speed cameras?; (2018)

The post Traffic Cameras and Road Sensors Every Driver Should Know appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.