Napa To Install Red-Light Cameras

NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department is preparing to launch a red-light camera enforcement system Dec. 12, it was announced Friday.

The goal of the program approved by Napa City Council in August 2o23 is to make the city's roadways safer through enforcement at four intersections identified in Napa's Local Roadway Safety Plan as high-injury.

The intersections are:

• Lincoln Avenue and Soscol Avenue
• Redwood Road and Solano Avenue
• State Highway 29 and Trower Avenue
• Soscol Avenue (state Highway 221) and Imola Avenue (state Highway 121)

The Police Department aims to install the first camera system Nov. 29 at the intersection of Lincoln and Soscol Avenues and complete the installation at the remaining three intersections by mid-2025.

Warnings will be issued for the first 30 days after cameras are installed at an intersection, with citations beginning in the second month of the camera being installed.

The city aims to reduce crashes caused by red-light running in Napa and the resulting property damage, injuries and fatalities. According to the City of Napa's Local Roadway Safety Plan, between 2016 and 2020, there were 1,207 collisions in the city, 90 percent of which happened at intersections, compared to 10 percent on roadway segments.

Stationary-mounted cameras will monitor all four approaches to an intersection and record cars with video footage and still photos. The cameras will be synchronized to operate with traffic light timing and vehicle approaches. Cars recorded proceeding through a red light, turning right at a red arrow, or turning right on a red without stopping will be eligible for citations.

The Police Department will independently verify all infractions before citations are issued. Once a violation is confirmed, a Notice of Traffic Violation with visual evidence will be mailed to the red-light offender or the registered vehicle owner. The fine is $445 for going through a red light or turning right on a red arrow. The fine is $217 for failing to stop on the right turn.

Offenders who cannot pay the fine because of a documented financial need can request a fine reduction online at mycitations.courts.ca.gov and ask the court for a fine reduction, payment plan, delayed payment and/or community service.

"After careful planning and preparation, the Napa Police Department looks forward to implementing state-of-the-art camera systems to improve safety at four of our community’s highest-risk intersections," Napa police Chief Jennifer Gonzales said. "We appreciate the community’s and City Council’s support of this and other public safety programs, and we are confident in our police traffic safety team, external vendor and the innovative camera technology to ensure the successful launch of this important effort."

See more about Napa’s Automated Red Light Enforcement program.