Navigating San Francisco’s streets has always required a sharp eye, but with the recent rollout of new speed enforcement cameras under Assembly Bill 645, drivers have a new layer of automated enforcement to consider. You’re likely familiar with the red-light cameras that have guarded intersections for years, but how do these new speed cameras compare?
Understanding the distinction is crucial, as the consequences of receiving a ticket from each are significantly different. Let’s break down the two systems.
The Financial Hit: Fines Compared
A ticket from a traditional red-light camera is a costly affair, typically setting you back around $490. This is a flat, hefty penalty for the violation.
The new AB 645 speed cameras, however, use a tiered fine system based on how much you’re exceeding the speed limit. The penalties are civil and start lower:
- $50 for speeding 11-15 mph over the limit.
- $100 for speeding 16-25 mph over the limit.
- $200 for speeding 26 mph or more over the limit.
Your Driving Record: The Impact on License Points
This is perhaps the most critical difference. A red-light camera ticket is a moving violation that adds one demerit point to your DMV driving record. Accruing too many points can lead to higher insurance premiums and even a license suspension.
In contrast, a ticket from an AB 645 speed camera is a civil penalty, much like a parking ticket. It does not add any points to your license and will not be reported to your insurance provider.
Legal and Technological Differences
Red light cameras are designed to prove a driver intentionally entered an intersection after the light turned red, often capturing images of both the license plate and the driver. A speed camera, on the other hand, uses radar to clock a vehicle’s speed and only captures an image of the license plate as evidence. This difference is why one is a moving violation and the other is a civil fine.
At-a-Glance: Red Light vs. Speed Cameras
| Feature | Red Light Cameras | AB 645 Speed Cameras |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Violation | Running a red light | Exceeding the speed limit |
| Fine Amount | ~$490 | $50 - $200+ (Tiered) |
| Adds License Points? | Yes (1 point) | No |
| Ticket Type | Moving Violation | Civil Penalty |
| Insurance Impact | Yes, likely to increase rates | No |
Read More: Got a Speeding Ticket from a San Francisco Camera? What to Do Next
Stay Protected From All Automated Tickets
Juggling mental maps of red-light intersections and the 33 new speed camera locations is a stressful way to drive. Instead of worrying about which type of camera is around the next corner, you can drive with confidence knowing you’re covered from both. This is where TicketGuard becomes your essential co-pilot.
Our app provides comprehensive, real-time alerts for all automated enforcement systems in the city, so you don’t have to guess. Don’t leave your driving record or your wallet to chance. Whether it’s a red light or a new speed camera, TicketGuard protects you from all types of automated enforcement. Download the free TicketGuard app today and make ticket anxiety a thing of the past.
