Red light cameras have begun taking photos at 14 Tempe intersections.

The enforcement program began Wednesday, May 7, city officials said. There are also four mobile units taking pictures of drivers who speed or run red lights.

After a 30-day warning period, traffic tickets will be issued for all violations. Beginning June 5, those captured speeding or running a red light will receive civil citation with a fine of $250, city officials said in a release, adding “if a red light is run while speeding, that is a second citation.”

Criminal charges could apply for excessive speeds, and a member of the Tempe Police Department will verify each violation before a complaint is issued.

Tempe officials said studies show the technology works, noting the U.S. Department of Transportation has stated they can reduce crashes by more than 50%.

A study from Lee Engineering (commissioned by the City of Scottsdale) found that speed-related crashes fell by 65% at Scottsdale’s intersections with photo enforcement cameras.   

Tempe used safety data to determine where photo enforcement cameras are located. Criteria used included:

• Only major arterial-to-arterial intersections with signals were considered. 
• Intersections that showed at least three serious or fatal crashes between 2018 and 2022. 
• Intersections with the highest crash rates per 10,000 vehicles. 
• Intersections with the greatest disparity between posted speed limits and documented speeds of most vehicles traveling through.

The program is a part of Tempe’s Vision Zero initiative.

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