A Red-Light Camera Ticket Is Not a Points Ticket

This is the most important thing to understand about a Nassau red-light camera ticket, and it’s good news. A camera ticket is a civil liability notice issued to the registered owner of the vehicle under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1111-b — not a moving violation issued to a driver. That means:

No points are added to your license. No insurance impact — a camera ticket does not appear on your driving record the way a police-issued ticket does. No criminal record, and no risk to your license from the ticket itself. The penalty is monetary only.

Because the consequences are financial rather than points-based, the decision of whether to fight a camera ticket is different from a regular traffic ticket. That’s exactly why having someone review the actual video matters — the question is whether the footage genuinely shows a violation, and whether the fees being charged are proper.

How Nassau’s Red-Light Cameras Work

Nassau County operates one of the largest red-light camera programs in the state, with cameras installed at intersections across the county. The cameras are positioned ahead of the stop line and capture still images and video of vehicles entering the intersection against a red signal. The system reads the license plate, and a citation is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner along with a link to view the captured photos and video online.

The video is the heart of the case. It is supposed to show the vehicle crossing the stop line after the light turned red. But footage doesn’t always tell a clean story — questions can arise about the timing of the yellow interval, whether the vehicle was already in the intersection, whether a turn was permitted, signal visibility, and whether the plate and vehicle are correctly identified. Reviewing the actual footage is the only way to know whether a particular ticket is worth contesting.

What the Ticket Costs

A Nassau red-light camera violation carries a base fine plus additional administrative and program fees that, combined, bring the total well above the base amount. Over the life of the program, the bulk of the money collected has come from these add-on fees rather than the base fine itself — which is why critics have long argued the program functions as much as a revenue source as a safety measure. Late payment adds further penalties, so a ticket that is ignored grows over time.

The program has generated tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue for the county, and its fee structure has been the subject of legal challenges and public debate. Whatever one thinks of the policy, the practical point for you is simple: the charge is a bill, the fees stack up if ignored, and it is worth confirming the ticket is valid before paying.

Should You Fight It? Let Us Watch the Video First

Most people never contest these tickets — they assume a camera doesn’t lie and simply pay. But the footage doesn’t always support the violation, and you shouldn’t pay a ticket that wouldn’t hold up. The fastest way to find out is to let us look.

Text a photo of your ticket to (631) 678-8993, and include the video/photo link printed on the citation if you have it. We’ll review the footage and give you a straight answer: pay it, or fight it. If it’s worth contesting, we’ll tell you what that involves. If it isn’t, we’ll tell you that too.

Watch Out for Fake Red-Light and Toll Notices

Scammers send fake traffic and toll notices by text and email demanding immediate payment through a link. A real Nassau red-light camera ticket arrives by mail and directs you to the county’s official system — it does not demand payment by text to an unfamiliar link. If you’re unsure whether a notice is genuine, send it to us before paying anything. Learn more about fake DMV notices and toll road scams.

Contact Us

Call toll-free: (888) 275-2620. Available 24/7.

Text a photo of your ticket and the video link to (631) 678-8993. We’ll review the footage and give you our opinion — no forms, no hold time.

For Nassau traffic matters generally, see our Nassau County traffic ticket page.

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Last reviewed by Attorney Ronald S. Cook — May 2026

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.