Charlotte is currently analyzing which 10 intersections โ drawn from the city’s high injury network โ would be most effective.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ The Charlotte City Council Public Safety Committee is set to take up a plan next week that could bring red light cameras back to city streets for the first time in nearly two decades.
Councilmember Dante Anderson, who chairs the committee, joined Flashpoint on WCNC+ to discuss Monday’s meeting. They will discuss the proposal to add cameras to 10 intersections โ and the significant financial and logistical hurdles that remain.
She shared city data shows more than 60 fatalities or serious injuries, and more than 2,000 additional injuries, have occurred at signalized intersections โ those with traffic lights. Anderson also noted that roughly 8% of fatal and serious injury crashes last year involved drivers disregarding traffic signals.
Red light cameras capture video or photographs of drivers running red lights. Officers can then review the footage and mail citations to offenders.
Charlotte previously ran a red light camera program from 1998 to 2006. During that period, intersection crashes declined by 30%. The program ended after a court ruling determined that revenue from the cameras should go to local schools rather than the city, making it financially unsustainable.
That funding problem remains the central obstacle. Under current law, a majority of fine revenue must go to public schools โ meaning ticket income does not cover the cost of running the program.
“It effectively becomes a cost center for cities that would execute these programs,” Anderson said.
She noted there has been some movement in the courts around allowing cities to cover operational costs first, which could make the program financially neutral. The committee is now weighing two options: the city absorbs upfront costs and passes them onto Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, or CMS carries the costs directly.
Anderson also pointed out that no city in North Carolina currently operates a red light camera program, though at least one is reviewing the possibility.
Despite the challenges, Anderson said she believes the cameras could save lives and change driver behavior.
“One life saved is one life saved, right? And it’s not only just the life, it’s the livelihood of the families and the loved ones of that individual,” Anderson said. “If you know that there’s a camera at an intersection, that might deter you from pushing on the accelerating pedal when it’s a yellow signal.”
As for next steps, staff is currently analyzing which 10 intersections โ drawn from the city’s high injury network โ would be most effective. No vote is scheduled yet, but Anderson said she expects the committee could vote to send a recommendation to the full council as soon as June.
Anderson also voiced support for House Bill 1105, a state measure that would increase fines for school bus violations, Move Over law offenses and damage caused by street takeovers. She said the most critical provision of the bill would bring more state troopers and magistrates to the Charlotte area.
Anderson also addressed the Interstate 77 South toll lane expansion and a resolution asking the N.C. Department of Transportationย to pause parts of the project. Her full interview airs on Flashpoint on the WCNC Charlotte app Sunday at 11 a.m. and is available on demand.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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