Fresno Council aims to curb traffic fatalities with red light camera pilot program
The Fresno City Council launched a three-year automated red light camera pilot program in an effort to curb the city’s high number of traffic crash fatalities and injuries.
The council voted 7-0 on the consent agenda at Thursday’s meeting, instructing city staff to take the next steps in implementing the program, including compiling a list of proposed camera locations, cost estimates and a draft impact report to bring back to the council in 90 days.
The resolution was brought forward by Council President Nelson Esparza and Councilmember Annalisa Perea, who held a news conference following the vote.
“Our police officers cannot be at every intersection every minute of every day,” Esparza said. “Technology can and should help us to enforce our traffic laws so that our officers can focus on responding to emergencies and protecting our neighborhoods.”
Fresno was ranked the seventh most dangerous city in the country for walking and biking by the nonprofit Smart Growth America. Between 2019 and 2023, 846 people were either killed or severely injured in traffic crashes in Fresno, according to the cities Vision Zero Action Plan.
“The reason we are here today is simple; it’s safety for Fresno families,” Perea said.
The red light camera pilot program is possible through the new Senate Bill 720, which established statewide requirements for automated red-light enforcement in California that the city must follow.
Instead of trying to capture a photograph of the driver’s face, the automated systems under SB 720 photograph the vehicle’s license plate.
Additionally, cameras must be placed only at intersections where traffic data warrants additional enforcement measures, not merely revenue generation. Red light violations would be subject only to a civil penalty and would not result in revocation or suspension of a driver’s license, according to the resolution.
Any revenue beyond the cost of operating the program must be reinvested in roadway safety improvements, Esparza said.
In 2024, Fresno police officers issued more than 34,000 traffic citations, contributing to an 8% reduction in collisions. Over 1,304 were issued specifically for red light runners, Perea said.
“No one should lose a loved one, suffer a serious injury, or have their life changed forever because someone was in a hurry to beat a red light,” Perea said. “We continue to see dangerous driving behavior that puts lives at risk, and among the most dangerous is running a red light.”
It’s unclear exactly when, where or how many red light cameras will be installed in Fresno. Esparza clarified that the resolution passed Thursday is the first of many steps needed to follow Senate Bill 720 and successfully implement the technology.
Joe Martinez, who was at the press conference, lost his 21-year-old son after he was struck by a speeding vehicle in 2013.
His grief led him to advocate for safe streets, and he supports Fresno implementing the pilot program.
“This technology is proven to change driver behavior and save lives,” Martinez said. “No family should ever experience our pain in order to have safe streets.”