Red light cameras were once common at St. Louis, MO, intersections. These cameras took photos of vehicles that entered intersections after lights turned red, and the car’s owner would get a ticket in the mail with photos showing the violation.
The cameras worked simply. When a car went through a red light, sensors triggered the camera to take pictures. These photos showed the license plate, the car entering the intersection, and sometimes the driver.
Recently, traffic and red light camera use has changed, and it risks changing again.
The Legal History of Red Light Cameras in Missouri
In 2015, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that St. Louis’s red light camera law was unconstitutional, stating that the law violated people’s rights by assuming the car owner was driving without proof.
This decision ended red light cameras in St. Louis and across Missouri. The cameras were turned off, and no new tickets are being issued this way. Here’s what happened:
- 2007: St. Louis installed its first red light cameras
- 2013: More than 30 Missouri cities had camera programs
- 2015: The Missouri Supreme Court ruled these cameras unconstitutional
After this ruling, most Missouri cities removed their cameras. The court said it was wrong to assume the owner was driving without proof, as this unfairly put the burden on car owners to prove they weren’t driving.
Are Red Light Cameras Coming Back?
In April 2024, Mayor Tishaura Jones signed a bill to bring back red light cameras to St. Louis. According to the new system, the operation would try to address the legal problems that made the courts rule against cameras.
The new cameras would take photos of the vehicle, license plate, and driver’s face. Car owners could prove someone else was driving to avoid getting a ticket. Some city officials say cameras will help reduce traffic accidents, but others worry about privacy and whether cameras will actually stop dangerous drivers.
As of May 2025, it is yet to be seen if these cameras will successfully return to St. Louis streets.
How Traffic Laws Are Enforced in St. Louis Today
Without cameras, St. Louis now uses traditional enforcement. Police officers must actually see and stop drivers who run red lights. Police focus on dangerous intersections with histories of serious accidents as a way of trying to reduce crashes and make roads safer.
Breaking traffic laws in St. Louis can lead to:
- Fines from $50 to several hundred dollars
- Points on your driving record
- Higher insurance rates
- Possible license suspension for repeat offenders
Missouri uses a point system for traffic violations. Continued accumulation of points can lead to a suspended license.
What Traffic and Red Light Cameras Mean for Traffic Safety
There is no consistency in research findings on the impact of cameras used at red lights. Some studies show they reduce dangerous side-impact crashes, while others show they might increase rear-end crashes as drivers slam on brakes to avoid tickets.
At the same time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that red light cameras reduced fatal crashes caused by drivers running red lights by 21% in large cities. But it also stressed the importance of using cameras properly.
Steps To Take if You’re in a Red Light Accident
Red light running causes serious intersection accidents in St. Louis. If someone runs a red light and hits you:
- Make sure everyone is safe before calling 911
- Take photos of the scene
- Get witness contact information
- See a doctor for both minor and serious injuries
- Talk to a car accident lawyer
Missouri follows pure comparative fault rules. This means that even if you were partly at fault, you may still get compensation, though less than if you weren’t at fault at all.
Driving Safely in St. Louis
Traffic laws are meant to keep everyone safe, and while enforcement methods may change, the goal stays the same: fewer accidents and saved lives. All drivers and road users in St. Louis should know the current traffic laws to understand their rights and responsibilities every time they are out on the road.
Contact our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers from Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO, today. We have two convenient locations in Missouri, including St. Louis and Richmond Heights.
We proudly serve St. Louis County and its surrounding areas.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
10 S Broadway #560
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 932-1066
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Richmond Heights Office
1034 S Brentwood Blvd Penthouse 1-C
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
(314) 463-4173