Consideration of the MTSC Letter
Recommending City Council Review
and Consider a Policy for the
Implementation of Red Light Cameras
I t e m 1 2 B
S e p t e m b e r 1 6 , 2 0 2 6
Previous Red Light Camera Program
2003: City Council directed staff to develop an automated red-light enforcement program as part of its 2003 goal-setting process.
2004: Red-light enforcement began at El Camino Real and Encinitas Boulevard. 2005: Red-light enforcement began at El Camino Real and Leucadia Boulevard/Olivenhain Road.
2019: City Council reviewed collision trends at the camera locations and comparable intersections and directed staff not to extend the program and to evaluate alternative intersection-control measures.
2020: Staff presented alternatives for preventing red-light violations, including other enforcement and intersection measures. The Redflex contract subsequently expired and the program was discontinued per City Council’s direction. 2 Senate Bill 720 (SB 720 )
3 • SB 720 became effective January 1, 2026.
• Establishes a new statewide framework to operate automated traffic enforcement for red-light violations.
• Provides an alternative automated traffic enforcement program. • Before establishing an SB 720 program, the City must prepare an Automated Traffic Enforcement System Impact Report addressing the proposed system, fiscal impacts, civil rights and liberties, locations, and supporting traffic data.
Program Comparison
4 Category Previous Red-Light Camera Program
(CVC 21455.5)
SB 720 Red-Light Camera Program
(CVC 21455.9)
Infraction Conventional traffic citation; generally, 1 DMV point added to driver’s record. Civil penalty; does not result in a DMV point.
Violation
Fee Approximately $490 (excluding traffic school).
• $100 when there has been no prior violation within
the previous three years;
• $200 when there has been one prior violation
within three years;
• $350 when there have been two prior violations
within three years; and
• $500 when there have been three or more prior
violations within three years.
*Fee reductions available for income-qualifying
individuals.
Camera
Detection
Photograph of vehicle and driver used as evidence of
the violation.
Photograph of vehicle/rear license plate; driver’s
identity is not required. Facial recognition is prohibited.
Program
Revenue
Revenue first used to cover operating costs.
Excess revenue not specifically restricted and could
be placed into a City’s General Fund.
Revenue first used to cover operating costs.
Excess revenue is required to be directed toward
eligible traffic-calming improvements.
M o b i l i t y a n d Tr a f f i c S a f e t y C o m m i s s i o n ( M T S C ) R e c o m m e n d a t i o n • On February 9, 2026, the MTSC voted to recommend that the City Council review and consider a policy for implementing a red-light camera program under SB 720. • On March 9, 2026, the MTSC voted to transmit its recommendation to the City Council and drafted a letter requesting that the City Council review and consider a policy to implement a red-light camera program. The MTSC also expressed its support for SB 720. 5 Recommended Action
6 City Council to review, discuss, and provide direction to staff regarding a possible policy for the implementation of red-light cameras per SB 720. 7 Thank You