If you need another reason to not run red lights, Pittsburgh has one: Starting this week, you can be fined if traffic cameras catch you failing to follow traffic signals.
Drivers who run red lights at three intersections within the city can be fined as of Oct. 11, and more cameras are set to become operational in the coming months, according to the City of Pittsburgh's website. These cameras capture vehicles that fail to stop for red lights. But they aren't like Flock cameras, a brand of automated license plate readers that have sparked controversy around the country over how much data they collect and what that data is used for.
Where are Pittsburgh's red light cameras located?
Throughout 2026, the city was installing traffic cameras at the following six intersections:
- West End Bridge and Route 65
- General Robinson Street and Anderson Street
- Saw Mill Run Boulevard and Woodruff Street
- Fifth Avenue and Negley Avenue
- Dallas Avenue and Penn Avenue
- Browns Hill Road and Parkview Boulevard.
Three locations — Saw Mill
Run Boulevard and Woodruff; Penn Avenue and Dallas Avenue; and East General Robinson and Anderson Street — were operating on Oct. 11, CBS Pittsburgh reported.
Will you be fined if you run a red light in Pittsburgh?
As of Oct. 11, yes. The cameras were initially operating in a "warning period," meaning drivers weren't cited if they were caught running red lights. But as of Oct. 11, citations can begin being issued to anyone who fails to stop at a red light and to drivers who turn right without first coming to a complete stop.
Violations are recorded and sent to police, who review and validate the violation before a citation is issued. If you get a citation, you have 30 days to pay the fine or appeal the violation.
Do red light cameras track speeding?
No, Pittsburgh's red light enforcement cameras do not track speeding, according to the city's website.
Are Pittsburgh traffic cameras the same as Flock cameras?
No, Pittsburgh's red light enforcement cameras are not the same as Flock cameras.
The city contracted with Verra Mobility, a global leader in transportation technology, for the red light enforcement program. These cameras detect vehicles that enter an intersection after a traffic light has turned red, triggering the camera to capture a video of the violation and an image of the license plate, according to the company's website.
The city notes on its website that red light enforcement cameras are only allowed for the sole purpose of capturing red light violations in accordance with Pennsylvania law. It also says the cameras do not include facial recognition software and that images and videos are recorded two seconds before, during and after an infraction is triggered.
Intersections with automated red light enforcement cameras will have signage notifying drivers that cameras are in use.
What are Flock cameras?
Flock cameras are one brand of automated license plate readers and use different technology than a camera strictly used for red light enforcement. Automated license plate readers, also manufactured by companies like Motorola Solutions and Genetec, can capture a vehicle's license plate number, make, model, color and other identifying features, like bumper stickers and body damage. They are being installed by local law enforcement, municipalities and private entities, like home and business owners.
The details captured by Flock cameras give law enforcement a searchable, nationwide database. While Flock Safety, the company that manufactures Flock cameras, and its supporters say the cameras have helped police locate missing people, find stolen vehicles and track suspects, critics have concerns about privacy, with some going as far as saying the cameras are a breach of the Fourth Amendment, which protects U.S. citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
Websites like DeFlock and Eyes on Flock allow online users to see where Flock cameras have been installed in their community, and the website Have I Been Flocked? lets users check to see if any automated license plate readers have captured their license place number.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Pittsburgh using Flock cameras? City now fining red light violations
