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NewsTimes of San DiegoAugust 31, 2026San Diego

Encinitas City Council to consider re-installing red-light cameras

The Encinitas City Council will hold a hearing on September 9th to discuss the potential return of red-light cameras to city intersections. This follows the passage of state legislation that reclassifies red-light violations as civil infractions rather than moving violations.

traffic safetypublic transitlaw enforcementsurveillancecity council
Read the full story at Times of San Diego

Why It Matters

Residents may soon face automated civil fines for running red lights, a change prompted by recent traffic fatalities and new state laws that shift liability from the driver to the vehicle owner.

Key Facts

  • The Encinitas City Council will hold a hearing on September 9th to discuss bringing back red-light cameras.
  • The Safer Streets Act (SB 720), signed in October 2025, allows cities to install red-light cameras at their discretion.
  • Under the new state law, red-light violations are reclassified from moving violations to civil infractions.
  • Fines for first-time red-light offenders are set at $100.
  • Violations are now linked to the vehicle's registered owner rather than the driver, and do not result in points on a driver's license.
  • Encinitas previously ended its red-light camera program in 2020.
  • The city is also considering the implementation of speed cameras, following the framework of Assembly Bill 645.
  • The push for new traffic measures follows the deaths of three teens in traffic-related incidents in Encinitas over the past three years.

Who's Mentioned

personPatricia Trauth“Chair of the Encinitas Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission.”personLara Grimmer“Founder of Safe Streets Encinitas and advocate for traffic safety.”organizationEncinitas City Council“The governing body considering the camera program.”personBruce Ehlers“Mayor of Encinitas.”organizationSafe Streets Encinitas“Local advocacy group supporting traffic safety measures.”