Charlotte is bringing back red light cameras
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Some Charlotte drivers who have gotten used to running red lights may soon face a costly reminder to stop.
Why it matters: Charlotte will install red light cameras at 10 high-injury intersections as part of a one-year pilot aimed at reducing traffic deaths, following 34 fatalities in just the first half of this year.
How it works: Drivers caught on camera will receive a $75 ticket mailed to the registered car owner, plus an additional $100 fee for drivers who do not respond.
- Violations do not result in driver's license or insurance points.
By the numbers: Collectively, the proposed locations had 1,841 collisions over five years, including 24 pedestrian or bicycle collisions.
The intersections are:
- Norris Avenue and North Graham Street
- University City Boulevard and I-85 northbound on-ramp
- Steele Creek Road and Westinghouse Boulevard
- North Tryon Street and University City Boulevard
- Central Avenue and North Sharon Amity Road
- East W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street
- South Tryon Street and West Arrowood Road
- West Boulevard and South Mint Street
- Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive
- The Plaza and East 36th Street
Follow the money: The city intends to spend $600,000 on the program. Projecting around 500 citations per month, annual revenue is expected to reach $4.5 million.
- Under state law, about $4.05 million (or 90%) of the citation revenue must go to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. That leaves the city a funding gap of roughly $150,000.
- City staff views the cameras as worth the investment because they could reduce collisions 25%-30% without expensive intersection reconstruction.
Catch up quick: For years, people have urged city leaders to reinstall red light cameras. But the program was difficult to justify financially because state law requires the majority of revenue to go to public education.
What's next: The cameras are expected to go up in early 2027 following procurement and installation.