Some of the small cameras on top of traffic lights in America aren't for traffic enforcement at all

You’ve seen them – little cameras mounted on top of traffic lights across America, designed for traffic enforcement purposes.

Most people assume they’re there to hand out tickets for running a red.

But that’s not always the case. In fact, many of them aren’t used for traffic enforcement at all.

They’re doing something else entirely.

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What those small cameras on traffic lights are really doing

Red-light enforcement cameras are controversial enough that 22 states, plus DC, have banned them outright. 

Even in states where they’re legal, most tickets are treated like a civil fine, no license points attached. 

Supporters say they reduce dangerous T-bone crashes by as much as 25 percent, while critics point out they also increase rear-end fender benders by about 15 percent.

But the cameras most drivers see every day aren’t there to punish. 

They’re traffic cameras used by local transportation departments. 

These cameras help monitor congestion, adjust light timing, identify accidents faster, and even track weather conditions. 

In some cities, the live feeds are made public online. 

They’re tools for traffic management, not enforcement.

Unlike red-light cameras, these traffic cameras typically don’t record license plates or store footage. 

They’re about keeping flow smooth and roads safer, not issuing citations.

Sometimes they’re not even cameras

Adding to the confusion, not every box on top of a light pole is even a camera. 

Many are sensors – acoustic, optical, or thermal – that detect vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians. 

They can trigger a green when a car is waiting, sense an approaching ambulance, or make sure crosswalk signals account for cyclists and walkers.

These modern sensors also outclass the old-school inductive loops buried in the road. 

Loops only detect cars and require digging up the asphalt to replace. 

Above-ground sensors, especially thermal ones, can cover a whole intersection, spot more than just vehicles, and be installed without tearing up the pavement.

So while those gadgets above the lights might look intimidating, most aren’t trying to ticket you. 

They’re there to ease traffic, cut delays, and make intersections safer for everyone.

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