Red Light Violations

Red light violations are generated by cameras located at the corners of Ramon and Date Palm, Ramon and Landau and Date Palm and Vista Chino.  ALL violations are reviewed by an officer before a citation is issued.  Although we try to accurately identify each driver by the registered owner of the vehicle, occasionally red light violations are issued to the registered owner instead of the driver.  If you receive a red light violation and you were not the driver simply fill out back of the citation with the correct driver name and mail or fax it to the address or number given.  YOU MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE.  Including a copy of the correct driver’s license will help expedite the process.

Still photographs give the illusion that a vehicle is at a complete stop.  If you would like to view the video of the violation you may do so by going to the website at www.Violationinfo.com.  You will need the Notice Number and PIN number located on the upper right hand corner of the notice of violation.

Check out this video that helps explain how the red light camera system works and the process of citations being issued.

Once the violation has been captured and is sent to the Cathedral City Police Department, the Traffic Bureau reviews all violations prior to issuing a citation. Each Notice of Violation will show the photos captured and instructions on the reverse side telling the recipient how to view the video of the violation or how to have the ticket dismissed and assigned to another driver if the recipient was not the driver at the time of the violation.

Most traffic signals have cycling times for the yellow lights based on the speed limit for the roadway. A vehicle traveling the speed limit will have enough time to come to a safe, full and complete stop prior to crossing the limit line. In most cases when a person is stopped for a red light violation, the driver was traveling at a speed greater than the posted speed limit which would in turn affect the stopping distance or they tried to “beat the light.”

The goal of the Cathedral City Police Department’s Traffic Red Light Camera Program is to increase the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. Remember we are here for everyone’s safety. Drive safely and please always buckle up. Please contact Sgt. Nick Chapman by email or phone at (760) 202-2487 with any traffic related questions.

Ca Vehicle Code Section 21453

1. A driver facing a steady circular red signal SHALL stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain stopped until and indication to proceed is shown except as provided in subdivision (b).
2. Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver, after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red signal, may turn right, or left from a one way street onto a one-way street.
3. A driver facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, SHALL stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain stopped until and indication to proceed is shown.