What are they? A Gatso-style camera used to catch drivers who jump the lights.
Where will I see them? Next to traffic lights.
Who owns it? Usually the local safety camera partnership.
How do they work? Red light cameras are designed to prevent drivers 'jumping the lights' at busy road junctions, putting lives at risk. Loops that detect vehicle movement are embedded in the road surface at the junction. These are attached directly to the camera so if a vehicle crosses the solid white line when the traffic lights are at red, it will automatically take two photographs 0.5 seconds apart. Two photographs are taken to prove that the vehicle has continued through the junction and therefore not just crossed the line and stopped. The photographs will show the time, date, speed (not for enforcement), amber time and the time that the traffic lights were on red. It will also show the traffic lights and all the vehicle details. The camera can cover two lanes and the photograph will show which lane/vehicle has activated the system. Red-light Gatso cameras also use cassettes of 35mm film.
Will I be fined? YES