do red light cameras use flashes at night?

Question

if a light flashes at night at an intersection with known red light cameras, does that mean a picture has been taken? a flashing occurred once as i was crossing one intersection. and then again as i was crossing a subsequent intersection. im trying to figure out if it was light from the harbor or light from the red light camera. i hope not, because i swear i did not cross on a red light. the first light i crossed on a yellow. i was following the procession of cars. but it was never red. im so confused. i am a very careful driver. the fact that two pictures were taken worries me. who in their right mind would ever cross two crossways 10 feet of each other on a red light? i think its pretty clear i didnt do that. who would do that? im really worried and irritated. anyway, if anyone could tell me if these cameras have flashes id appreciate it. because if not it must have been the harbor. i have no idea and would like to figure out.

thank you for you help

i wanted to add, i only started crossing at yellow because cars beep at me when i dont. if i stop at a yellow some cars even intimidate my car. im so annoyed. i hate arguing things like this. plus they will never believe me. im screwed.

thank you for the info. the light was flashing so much. it seemed like 5 or 6 times. i was very confused and thought it might be a boat from the harbor or a migraine. i guess ill wait to see this lovely picture in the mail. what can i do? no one will ever believe the light was yellow. the light was definitely green the second light. im just not sure what the heck happened. well, anyway thanks again.

Answer 1

New York City is loaded with Red Lights Camera's. Yes, they do use flash at night. The picture will show exactly where you were when the light turned red. If they got a picture of your license plate they will send the ticket to you in the mail. There are no points added to your license in these cases.

Answer 2

I would have to say yes, as a professional photographer, one can only assume that having to take a photo at night, a camera is going to need some degree of flash to capture any image. A flash at a red light camera a night would have to have a really quick speed, since the subject being captured are in motion at a relatively fast speed. That's why you probably wouldn't be able to catch the flash that easily.

Answer 3

I agree with YS and ohmylobotomy, I'm not aware of any IR cameras at traffic lights - yet. They invariably flash. Actually, "TS10 Failing to comply with traffic light signals" DOES attract three points, but I'd guess you're okay. Just keep fingers crossed for the next few weeks.

Answer 4

Yes. I live by a major intersection and I see the flash go off all the time. Of course, the flash is not for me.

Answer 5

Camera's are normally outside on a bar somewhere or on a pole, they are not inside the red light, so don't worry about it, your ok, if there is a camera on the light somewhere you would see it because they are all visible.

Answer 6

yes