Fine for driving through a red light

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Boiko Kateryna

Lawyer

Poland / Warsaw

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Publication date: 02.02.2026

A fine for running a red light is one of the most common traffic penalties issued to drivers. Such cases are often based on automatic monitoring systems, camera recordings, or the subjective assessment of police officers. In particular, a fine for running a red light at an intersection may result not only in a financial penalty but also in penalty points and administrative consequences. 

Many drivers pay the fine immediately without analyzing the case, even though legal procedures allow the decision to be challenged in many situations. 

Fine for running a red light at an intersection — where do errors come from? 

Intersections equipped with traffic lights are one of the most frequent locations for disputed violations. Typical issues include: 

• incorrect synchronization of traffic lights, 
• inaccurate detection of the violation moment, 
• low-quality camera footage, 
• incorrect vehicle position interpretation, 
• technical malfunctions of monitoring systems. 

Because of this, a fine for running a red light at an intersection should always be carefully examined from a legal perspective. 

Police evidence in traffic light fine cases — what must be proven?

Police evidence in traffic light fine cases must meet strict procedural and technical requirements. A police officer’s statement alone is not always sufficient. Common types of evidence include: 

1. traffic camera recordings, 
2. photographic documentation, 
3. data from municipal monitoring systems, 
4. official incident reports. 

If the evidence is incomplete or unclear, the driver has grounds to challenge the penalty. 

Video recordings as evidence of running a red light — what should be checked? 

Video recordings as evidence of running a red light must clearly show: 

• the moment the stop line was crossed, 
• the color of the traffic signal, 
• exact date and time of the incident, 
• the vehicle registration number, 
• continuity of the recording. 

Any inconsistency or missing element significantly weakens the evidentiary value. 

How to appeal a red light fine — step-by-step procedure 

Many drivers do not know how to appeal a red light fine properly. The appeal process usually includes: 

1. reviewing the case file, 
2. analyzing police evidence, 
3. preparing a legal justification, 
4. submitting the appeal within statutory deadlines, 
5. participating in administrative or court proceedings. 

Incorrect documentation or missed deadlines often result in automatic rejection. 

Lawyer for traffic light violation cases — professional legal support 

A lawyer for traffic light violation cases has experience in analyzing traffic regulations, technical documentation, and procedural rules. Professional legal assistance allows you to: 

• realistically assess chances of success, 
• identify procedural mistakes, 
• build an effective defense strategy, 
• avoid penalty points, 
• protect your legal interests in court. 

For foreign drivers, legal support is especially important due to language and administrative barriers. 

Common mistakes when appealing traffic fines 

The most frequent mistakes include: 

1. missing appeal deadlines, 
2. failing to analyze evidence, 
3. incorrect form submission, 
4. lack of legal argumentation, 
5. automatic payment of the fine. 

Proper preparation helps avoid these problems. 

FAQ — Frequently asked questions 

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