What is the purpose of SafeLight?
Fatal and severe injury crashes often occur when vehicles travelling in different directions collide, such as Angle-type crashes, commonly know as "T-Bone" or "Broadside" crashes. Vehicles that enter intersections during the red interval are the primary cause of Angle-type crashes. The reduction of these severe crashes to increase safety at Wilmington's intersections is the primary goal of the SafeLight Program. This can be accomplished by reducing the number of motorists that enter intersections during the red interval, commonly referred to as "running a red light".
It is also important to remember, the people physically involved in crashes are not the only ones affected. Fatal and serious injury crashes affect the livelihood of entire families, friends and loved ones. Further, crashes cause delays to all other drivers and create conditions where secondary crashes can occur. Reducing red light running, and the serious crashes that are caused, provides significant benefits to the entire population.
View a map of the SafeLight camera locations(PDF, 468KB)
Our SafeLight vendor, VerraMobility (American Traffic Solutions, Inc.), provides a newsletter containing nation-wide information concerning red-light safety cameras.
Why SafeLight?
A common piece of advice given to drivers is, "when the traffic signal turns green, look both ways to make sure cross traffic stops". In general this sounds reasonable, similar to what we are taught at a young age," look both ways before crossing the street." But, the more you think about it, the more concerning the statement becomes. Traffic signals with their green, yellow and red displays are not a new concept, so why do drivers still disobey the red lights? Distracted driving, trying to "beat" the light, in a hurry, running late, wasn't paying close attention... Regardless of the excuse, it is a driving infraction to enter an intersection during the red interval and it increases the chance of causing a severe crash. So, what can be done about it?
As a traffic control photographic system in accordance with North Carolina General Statue 160A-300.1 and adopted by Municipal Code 5-46 for the civil enforcement of North Carolina General Statue 20-158, SafeLight provide continuous, accurate and unbiased enforcement of red light running 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and 365-days a year. This level of traffic enforcement service would be impractical to perform with sworn law enforcement officers stationed around the clock at signalized intersections. The SafeLight Program provides this services.
What is red light running?
As specified in North Carolina General Statue 20-158, a red light violation occurs when a motorist facing a red light fails to come to a stop and enters the intersection by crossing the stop line. This applies to all vehicular movements approaching the intersection, U-turns, left turns, straight through and right turns.
Can I make a right turn at a red traffic signal (right-turn-on-red)?
As specified in North Carolina General Statue 20-158, a motorist is allowed to make a right turn at a red traffic signal by satisfying all of the following conditions:
- The vehicle must first come to a complete stop. *This is consistent with the same requirement of stopping at a stop sign to make a right turn.
- The driver must verify there is no sign indicating right turns on red are prohibited, such as "No Turn On Red." If present, the driver must wait for the traffic signal to become green before performing a right turn.
- While stopped, the driver must also verify there are no conflicting vehicles, pedestrians or pedalcyclists in or approaching the intersection before performing the right turn.
How does SafeLight work?
SafeLight cameras help communities enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing the license plates of vehicles whose drivers enter intersections during the red interval. The cameras provide 24-hour surveillance. When a violation occurs, the camera records:
- Date and time
- Duration of the expired yellow interval, or how long the yellow light was displayed prior to the red light
- Time elapsed since the beginning of the red interval, or how long the red light had been displayed before the vehicle entered the intersection
- Two photos of the red light violation events, one before the vehicle entered the intersection with the red displayed and another after the vehicle entered the intersection
- One photo of the license plate
- A video clip of the events (assists with documenting improper right turns on red)
How does a red light running incident become a citation?
View the SafeLight citation-review process:
When a violation occurs, who receives the citation?
SafeLight citations are mailed to the registered vehicle owner. The information specific to each citation can be viewed by visiting www.violationinfo.com and entering the information from the citation.
What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle?
As required by the Municipal Code 5-46, the vehicle owner is responsible for the citation unless the actual driver is identified by providing an affidavit to SafeLight Customer Service. However, anyone can pay the citation, regardless of the actual driver or registered vehicle owner. If the actual driver was an authorized user of the vehicle, that person can pay the citation without completing the affidavit by following the payment instructions on the back of the citation.
Additionally, if the vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation, the owner can be relieved of the citation by submitting a copy of the insurance or police report along with an affidavit to SafeLight Customer Service.
Download the Affidavit of Non-Responsibility(PDF, 34KB) or visit www.violationinfo.com and enter the requested citation information to view citation events and documents.
What is the SafeLight citation fee?
A SafeLight fine is $50. If the citation is not paid by the due date, then a $50 late penalty is added to the total costs.
How do I appeal a SafeLight citation?
Instructions for filing an appeal are posted on the back of the citation. All requested information must be provided to ensure a timely appeal can be scheduled.
Appeals hearing are conducted through an administrative process coordinated by the SafeLight Program. An independent hearing officer conducts the appeal hearing and makes a ruling on each case based on the evidence and testimony provided by the vehicle owner.
If you want to know more about how the SafeLight program is making Wilmington a safer city please contact us at:
929 N. Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.343.4762
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.