Charlotte’s red light runners could face $75 fines in 2027 if council OKs pilot
The Charlotte City Council on Monday hammered out more details of a one-year red light camera pilot program in “high traffic areas” of the city.
The program is estimated to cost the city $600,000 annually and generate $4.5 million from the citations each year. Most of that money will go to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and only $150,000 going back into the city. The City Council is still looking into how they can reduce the costs of the program, including working with partners to identify alternative options.
The lights are being planned to be installed in 10 different locations to focus on preventing angle and left-turn collisions such as:
- Graham Street and Norris Avenue
- University City Boulevard and Interstate 85 ramps
- Steele Creek Road and Westinghouse Boulevard
- North Tryon Street and University City Boulevard
- Central Avenue and Sharon Amity Road
- W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street
- South Tryon Street and Arrowood Road
- South Boulevard and West Boulevard
- Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive
- 36th Street and The Plaza
Those detected running red lights will receive a $75 citation to the owner of the vehicle. However, it’s a non-criminal citation, so no points on either the driver’s license or insurance will be deducted.
If the owner’s car was stolen or the car wasn’t being driven by the owner, the city plans to create a process to transfer the citation to the correct person. Citations can also be contested if a motorist feels the citation was unfair.
Charlotte previously had red light cameras, but discontinued the effort after courts had ruled that 90% of the profits made from ticketing would go to public schools according to The Charlotte Observer.
The program’s revival comes with Charlotte being ranked 5th among North Carolina cities when it comes to crash dangers, according to NCDOT’s city rankings in 2025. According to the data, Charlotte saw 122,982 crashes with 342 fatalities between 2023 and 2025.
“As a former teacher, I’m excited that CMS will be getting some of these funds,” said Joi Mayo, District 3 council member. “But I’m wondering how we can influence, maybe how some of those funds are being used… $4.5 million is a good amount of money to think through. I think we have common goals with CMS to think through how we support our workforce.”
The lights plan to be deployed with advanced warning signs, warning drivers of upcoming red-light cameras before they approach them to deter drivers from running traffic lights.
The council’s goal is to start in 2027, but it hasn’t given its final approval. It still must approve contracts for the cameras and to increase the current fine for running a red light from $50 to $75.