Red-light cameras could be coming to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers are taking another shot at introducing red-light cameras to intersections.

A very similar bill was presented during last year’s legislative session by Rep. Jake Fitisemanu, D-Salt Lake City, but it failed due to privacy concerns. However, he wants to reiterate that we are surrounded by cameras in our daily lives.  Privacy is not the same as it used to be.

“And it’s so ubiquitous. We have Ring cameras; we have all kinds of things on our homes. Even dashcam cameras in our cars,” Fitisemanu said.

To appease those worried about privacy, these new cameras will only be taking pictures of license plates.  They won’t be photographing the inside of vehicles. They will also have a sign to notify drivers that there is a camera at the intersection.

This time around, HB0275 is focusing on a pilot program for the cameras.  If passed, the pilot program would consist of 10 cameras placed at busy intersections around the state.  Then, the cameras would only collect data. No citations would be handed out. This gives UDOT and lawmakers an idea of how many red-light infractions are happening and how much they actually benefit public safety.

Aside from privacy, there aren’t many other opposing arguments.  There is a portion of money allotted through the state for public safety that will be used for the cameras during the pilot program.

“In terms of getting cameras and just turning them on to collect data, that isn’t something that should be a barrier or a burden on the taxpayers at all,” Fitisemanu.

If passed, the bill would take effect in May 2026.