California has passed a new law that changes how automated red light enforcement works. SB 720, known as the Safer Streets Act, introduces major reforms that could affect thousands of drivers across the state Instead of treating these violations as criminal penalties that can cost more than $500, the new system shifts them to civil penalties capped at $100. It also moves responsibility from the driver to the vehicle’s registered owner, and directs the revenue back into local communities for street safety improvements
If you are worried about the rising number of traffic crashes, or you have recently received a red light ticket, here is what you need to know about this important change in California traffic law.
What is SB 720 (Safer Streets Act)?
SB 720, officially known as the Safer Streets Act, is a comprehensive reform bill introduced by Senator Angelique V. Ashby that fundamentally restructures California’s red-light camera enforcement program. The legislation creates an optional program for local governments to implement modernized automated traffic enforcement systems with a focus on safety, equity, and community reinvestment.
The bill addresses California’s alarming traffic fatality rate—over 4,200 deaths annually, with more than a quarter due to red-light running and replaces an outdated enforcement system that hasn’t been updated since 1995. With California ranking among the top five states for fatal crashes, SB 720 responds by incentivizing safer driving through an enforceable system that doesn’t disproportionately harm low-income communities.
What makes SB 720 unique is its emphasis on reinvestment. All proceeds go directly back into traffic safety improvements like bicycle lanes, speed tables, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions. Local governments that opt in must develop transparent guidelines for camera placement based on traffic data and submit annual reports on effectiveness, creating accountability that was absent from the previous system.
Key changes under SB 720
From criminal to civil penalties
Under the old system, running a red light captured by an automated camera was treated as a criminal traffic violation that went on your record, similar to reckless driving or DUI. SB 720 changes this to a civil infraction, more like a parking ticket than a criminal offense. This means the violation won’t appear on your criminal record or carry the legal stigma of a criminal penalty, acknowledging that automated enforcement should be treated differently from traditional traffic stops.
Lower fines: $100 maximum
California previously imposed some of the highest red-light camera fines in the nation, with a single violation costing upward of $500 when factoring in base fines, court fees, administrative costs, and surcharges. For many families, especially those with lower incomes, this created genuine financial hardship. SB 720 caps the maximum fine at $100, including all administrative fees—an 80% reduction that makes penalties more reasonable while reducing the disproportionate burden on working families.
Shift from driver liability to owner liability
The previous system held the driver responsible for violations, requiring cameras to capture clear photos of the driver’s face. If the driver couldn’t be identified, the notice went to the vehicle’s registered owner, but there was no legal requirement for the owner to respond—meaning thousands of violators escaped accountability simply by ignoring notices. SB 720 makes the registered owner liable regardless of who was driving, similar to parking tickets, which closes this enforcement gap and eliminates privacy concerns about capturing and storing driver photos. Owners who weren’t driving can provide that information during the appeal process.
Simplified appeal process
Previously, contesting a ticket meant going to court—taking time off work, potentially hiring an attorney, navigating the complex court system, and waiting weeks or months for a hearing. The process was so intimidating and expensive that many people paid the $500+ fine even when wrongly cited because fighting it would cost more in lost wages and legal fees. SB 720 shifts appeals to administrative hearings conducted by local government, making the process more accessible, less formal, faster, and significantly cheaper. This gives ordinary people a realistic chance to challenge incorrect citations without facing financial hardship.
What happens if you get a red-light camera ticket under SB 720?
Under SB 720, a red-light violation recorded by an approved camera system results in a notice of violation mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. The violation is handled as a civil matter, not a criminal offense, and the penalty is capped at $100 including administrative fees.
SB 720 also gives you a defined way to challenge the ticket. The process starts with an initial review, and if you still disagree, you can request an administrative hearing run by the local jurisdiction rather than being forced into a court appearance.
While the penalties are less severe than under the old criminal system, ignoring a red-light camera ticket is not consequence free. Unpaid violations can trigger added late fees, collection activity, or issues when you try to renew your vehicle registration. The difference is that because SB 720 treats these as civil penalties, you are not dealing with a criminal conviction, and the system is designed to avoid license points and the court burden that came with traditional red light camera citations.
Does SB 720 affect my driving record or insurance?
No. One of the key changes under SB 720 is that red-light camera violations are treated as civil penalties, not criminal traffic offenses. Because of this, a ticket issued under the SB 720 program does not add points to your driving record and does not trigger DMV license suspension or revocation.
This is perhaps the most financially significant change for most drivers. Previously, because red-light violations were criminal traffic offenses that added points to your record, insurance companies could and often did raise your premiums after a violation. These rate increases could cost you hundreds of dollars annually for three to five years, making the true cost of a ticket far more than the initial $500 fine. With SB 720’s shift to civil penalties, insurance companies cannot use red-light camera tickets as justification to increase your rates. The violation is treated similarly to a parking ticket, which insurers don’t consider when calculating premiums.
When does SB 720 take effect?
SB 720 was signed into law and took effect shortly after the Governor’s approval. However, the actual implementation of automated red-light camera programs under the law depends on when local cities and counties decide to opt in and start using the system.
That means:
- The law itself is already active, giving jurisdictions the authority to adopt these programs.
- Individual cities and counties must still decide whether to establish their own automated enforcement system, set up signage, meet program criteria, and begin issuing violations.
- Until a local jurisdiction officially starts its program, red-light cameras under SB 720 will not yet be in use there.
To know whether SB 720 applies in your area, check with your city or county government. Local jurisdictions that choose to participate must publicly announce their decision and provide information about camera locations, the appeals process, and how revenue will be reinvested in traffic safety improvements. Most cities will post this information on their official websites and through local news outlets.
If you received a red-light camera ticket under the old system before your jurisdiction adopted SB 720, the previous rules and penalties likely still apply to that citation. However, you should verify this with your local court or administrative office, as some jurisdictions may offer retroactive adjustments or payment plans for older violations.
If you were injured in a crash caused by a driver who ran a red light or was distracted, a ticket is only part of the story. To understand your rights and options after an accident, speak with a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer at Bojat Law Group. Call (818) 877-4878 for a free consultation
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