What Happens If You Run a Red Light in Naples? New Penalties Explained [2026]
What happens if you run a red light in Naples? Running a red light might appear to be just another traffic ticket, but the consequences can impact your life far beyond what most drivers realize. Following deadly accidents on Collier County roads that have taken 42 lives so far this year, local authorities are cracking down hard on dangerous driving behaviors. September proved to be the deadliest month, with 10 fatalities occurring across just six crashes.
Florida doesn't treat red light violations lightly, and neither should you. Get caught running a red light in Naples and you're looking at fines reaching $262, depending on your county, plus four points added to your license. Collier County has ramped up enforcement efforts with 38 specialized red-light operations that resulted in 269 citations. The recent approval of $160,000 to install blue light indicators at 20 high-risk intersections means law enforcement can now spot red-light runners easier than ever before.
We understand that traffic violations can have serious consequences for you and your family. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about red-light violations in Naples - from what the law actually considers a red light violation to the financial and legal troubles you could face in 2026.
What is considered running a red light in Florida?
Understanding Florida's traffic laws can save you from costly mistakes and serious legal trouble. The state has clear-cut regulations about red light violations that every driver should know.
Failure to comply with a steady red signal
Florida law defines running a red light as when your vehicle enters an intersection after the signal has turned red. Florida Statute 316.075 requires that vehicles facing a steady red signal must stop completely before entering the crosswalk or intersection and stay stopped until a green light appears. You must come to a complete stop before reaching the marked limit line or crosswalk. Even if your vehicle has only partially crossed the white stop line when the light turns red, you've technically run the red light.
Running a red light in Florida carries a minimum fine of $158 and adds four points to your driver's license. However, if you're already in the intersection when the light changes from yellow to red, this doesn't count as a violation.
Right turns on red: what's allowed and what's not
Florida does allow right turns at red lights, but only after coming to a complete stop. This rule applies only when no signs prohibit such turns at that specific intersection. When turning right on red, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, bicyclists, and any oncoming traffic that has a green light.
Many drivers make the mistake of performing a "rolling stop" before turning right on red. This is still a violation. Florida law requires a complete stop, period. A notice of violation cannot be issued if the driver makes a right-hand turn in a careful and prudent manner at an intersection where right-hand turns are permissible.
Left turns on red are only permitted when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, following the same stopping and yielding requirements.
Dead red law Florida: what it means for drivers
Florida currently does not have a "Dead Red" law. Other states have this type of law, which allows motorcyclists, people on mopeds, and cyclists to proceed through a red light when the light hasn't been triggered by their presence due to vehicle weight sensors.
If you encounter a light that won't change in Florida, you must either wait it out or find a legal alternative route. Even if the traffic signal appears to be malfunctioning, proceeding through a red light remains illegal. Your best bet is to contact authorities so they can direct traffic until the light gets repaired.
New penalties for red-light violations in Naples (2026 update)
The financial impact of running a red light has grown substantially for Naples drivers. Enhanced enforcement methods mean these violations now carry consequences that extend far beyond a simple ticket.
Fines and point system explained
Running a red light in Collier County will cost you $261.00 for a standard violation. This ranks among the most expensive traffic violations in Southwest Florida. The state adds 3-4 points to your driving record based on the specific circumstances of your red light violation.
Point accumulation follows a progressive penalty structure that can quickly lead to license suspension:
- 12 points within 12 months: 30-day suspension
- 18 points within 18 months: 3-month suspension
- 24 points within 36 months: 1-year suspension
Differences between camera and officer-issued tickets
Camera-issued tickets arrive first as a "Notice of Violation" with a fine of $158.00. These violations don't immediately add points to your driving record. Officer-issued tickets work differently - they immediately result in both the fine and points on your record.
The key difference lies in the processing. Camera tickets target the vehicle owner regardless of who was actually driving. Officer tickets get issued directly to the specific driver behind the wheel.
What happens if you run a red light by accident?
Running a red light accidentally carries identical penalties to intentional violations. Florida law makes no distinction based on your intent. Claiming it was an accident won't reduce your $261.00 fine in Collier County or eliminate the associated points.
What happens if you run a red light with a camera?
Red light cameras document violations thoroughly, capturing 12 seconds of video plus multiple photographs showing your vehicle entering the intersection after the signal turned red. The registered owner receives the initial notice following the violation.
Ignoring this notice creates serious problems. After 60 days without payment, that initial $158.00 civil penalty jumps to a $262.00 Uniform Traffic Citation with points added to your license. This escalation transforms a civil penalty into a traffic citation that affects your driving record and insurance rates.
How Collier County is enforcing red-light laws
Collier County has rolled out several new strategies to catch red-light running drivers, sparked by recent fatal crashes including a September incident where a semi-truck ran a red light, killing a 47-year-woman and injuring two children. Local authorities mean business when it comes to stopping red-light violations.
Introduction of blue light indicators at intersections
Collier County commissioners unanimously approved $160,000 to install blue light indicators at 20 dangerous intersections. These blue lights turn on the moment red lights activate, letting a single deputy monitor an intersection that used to need multiple officers. The technology allows law enforcement to spot violations from far away, essentially doubling their enforcement power. Installation kicked off in mid-2025, with all 20 high-crash locations up and running by early 2026.
Increased patrols and citation numbers
Running a red light in Collier County costs you $261 and tacks four points onto your license. Naples Police Department wrote 98 red light tickets throughout 2025, while the Collier County Sheriff's Office issued 1,327 tickets from September 2024 to August 2025. Following the fatal September crash, CCSO launched 38 additional red-light operations that produced 269 citations.
Community education and awareness campaigns
CCSO started "Operation Safe Streets," focusing on 13 high-crash corridors that FDOT identified. This program puts education first, though deputies can still hand out warnings or tickets when needed. The public education campaign runs in seasonal phases, tackling different driving behaviors each month.
Red-light camera debate: will they return?
Collier County pulled red-light cameras back in 2013, but recent tragedies have officials thinking about them again. The county productivity committee still opposes bringing them back, preferring to see how well the blue lights work first. Some officials want to revisit the camera option, especially with ongoing safety concerns.
Legal and Financial Consequences After a Red-Light Crash
When running a red light leads to a crash, you're facing much more than a traffic ticket. The aftermath creates complex legal battles and financial hardship that can affect you and your family for years to come.
Liability for Injuries and Property Damage
Most red light accidents place the driver who ran the signal at fault. Florida's comparative negligence laws mean your damage award gets reduced based on your percentage of fault. This makes establishing who had the right-of-way absolutely critical through traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports.
We understand how overwhelming this process can be when you're already dealing with injuries and property damage from an accident.
Insurance Implications and Rate Increases
Your insurance premiums will almost certainly jump after a red light accident. Florida drivers typically see increases of $150 to $300 per year. These higher rates stick around for three years or longer. Insurance companies treat red light violations as red flags for risky driving behavior, raising concerns about future accidents.
Don't let insurance companies take advantage of your situation.
When Punitive Damages May Apply
Courts award punitive damages when they find "intentional misconduct" or "gross negligence". For gross negligence cases, punitive damages can reach up to 3 times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. Drunk drivers who run red lights often face unlimited punitive damage claims.
What to Do After a Red-Light Accident
Your safety comes first - ensure everyone is safe and call emergency services. Document everything with photos and collect witness contact information. Seek medical attention immediately, even for minor injuries. Most importantly, consult an attorney before accepting any insurance offer.
If you have been injured in an accident and need a lawyer, call Pittman Law Firm, P.L. for a free consultation. We treat every case like we were handling it for a family member, and we'll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Conclusion
Red light violations represent a serious threat to safety on Naples roads, and the tragic numbers speak for themselves - 42 traffic fatalities in Collier County this year alone. Local authorities are fighting back with specialized operations and cutting-edge technology like blue light indicators. The true cost of running a red light goes far beyond that initial $261 fine. Your license points, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and potential license suspension create a financial burden that can affect you for years.
When a red light violation leads to a crash, the stakes become life-changing. You're facing potential liability for injuries, property damage, and punitive damages that can reach $500,000 in cases of gross negligence. Even something as simple as a right turn on red can turn costly if you don't come to a complete stop first.
Don't get caught off guard the next time you approach an intersection. Collier County has deployed enhanced monitoring methods specifically designed to catch red light runners, and with 20 high-risk intersections now equipped with blue light indicators, getting away with violations has become nearly impossible.
Your safest bet? Follow traffic signals carefully and always make complete stops when required. Those few seconds you might save by rushing through a red light simply aren't worth the potentially devastating consequences that could follow.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a red light runner, don't face the insurance companies alone. Contact Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation - we're here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Key Takeaways
Running a red light in Naples carries serious financial and legal consequences that extend far beyond a simple traffic ticket. Here are the essential points every driver should know:
• Red light violations in Collier County now cost $261 and add 3-4 points to your license, with potential suspension after accumulating 12+ points within 12 months.
• Blue light indicators at 20 dangerous intersections make detection easier, allowing single deputies to monitor violations from a distance and doubling enforcement capabilities.
• Camera tickets start at $158 but escalate to $262 with points if ignored for 60 days, transforming from civil penalties to traffic citations that affect insurance rates.
• Right turns on red require complete stops, not rolling stops, and are only legal where no prohibitive signs exist while yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
• Red light crashes create severe liability exposure including property damage, injury claims, insurance premium increases of $150-300 annually, and potential punitive damages up to $500,000.
• Enhanced enforcement through "Operation Safe Streets" targets 13 high-crash corridors, with CCSO issuing over 1,300 tickets in one year and conducting 38 specialized operations resulting in 269 additional citations.
With 42 traffic fatalities in Collier County this year and aggressive new enforcement measures, the few seconds saved by running a red light simply aren't worth the potentially life-altering financial and legal consequences.
FAQs
Q1. What are the penalties for running a red light in Naples, Florida? Running a red light in Naples, Florida carries a fine of $261 and adds 3-4 points to your driver's license. Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months can lead to license suspension.
Q2. Are right turns on red allowed in Naples? Right turns on red are permitted in Naples after coming to a complete stop, provided there are no signs prohibiting such turns. Drivers must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and oncoming traffic with a green light.
Q3. How do blue light indicators at intersections affect red light enforcement? Blue light indicators have been installed at 20 dangerous intersections in Collier County. They activate simultaneously with red lights, allowing a single deputy to monitor violations from a distance, effectively doubling enforcement capabilities.
Q4. What happens if I accidentally run a red light? Accidental red light violations are treated the same as intentional ones. You'll still face the full $261 fine in Collier County and associated points on your license, regardless of intent.
Q5. How do red light cameras work in Naples? While Naples currently doesn't use red light cameras, nearby areas that do typically issue a $158 civil penalty to the vehicle owner. If unpaid after 60 days, this escalates to a $262 traffic citation with points added to the license.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship with Pittman Law Firm, P.L.