The $100 Surprise: 5 Critical Facts About The Hunting Park Red Light Camera That Just Activated

Heads up, Philadelphia drivers: If you've been relying on a grace period for the new red light cameras in the Hunting Park section, that time has officially expired. As of late December 2025, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has transitioned from issuing courtesy warnings to levying real, $100 violations, making local intersections a high-stakes zone for traffic compliance. This shift is a critical part of the city's aggressive push for Vision Zero, targeting some of the most dangerous intersections in North Philadelphia.

The installation and activation of this automated enforcement system is not a drill; it's a permanent change designed to curb reckless driving and reduce the high rate of severe traffic incidents in the area. Understanding the operational details, the exact location, and the financial penalty is the only way to protect your wallet—and your driving record—from an unexpected ticket. Here are the five most critical facts you need to know now that the warning phase is over.

Fact 1: The Exact Location and the End of the 45-Day Grace Period

The new red light cameras are focused on the Hunting Park section, an area identified by the PPA and the City of Philadelphia as a high-crash corridor. While the PPA manages a growing list of automated enforcement sites, the most recent activation that triggered the 45-day warning period, announced in May 2025, primarily impacts major thoroughfares in this neighborhood.

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The key intersections in the Hunting Park area that have been targeted for new or upgraded red light camera systems include:

• Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue: This intersection has been repeatedly listed for new camera deployment as part of the ongoing safety expansion.
• Broad Street and Hunting Park Avenue: A critical, high-volume intersection that is a perennial focus for traffic safety improvements.

The 45-day warning period, during which drivers only received non-monetary warning notices, is a mandated step before full enforcement begins. Since the initial announcement was made months ago, any vehicle caught running a red light at these locations now receives a Notice of Violation (NOV) with a monetary fine attached. The grace period is over; compliance is mandatory.

This automated enforcement is not limited to just one direction of travel. The systems capture violations from multiple approaches, ensuring that the intersection is safer for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

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Fact 2: The Violation is a $100 Fine—But No License Points

The most pressing question for any driver is the cost of non-compliance. A violation captured by the Hunting Park red light camera carries a substantial penalty.

The fine structure is straightforward:

• Violation Fine: $100.
• Points on License: Zero (0) points.

This is a civil penalty, not a moving violation, which is a crucial distinction. While the $100 fine is significant, the violation does not result in points being added to your Pennsylvania driver's license, nor is it reported to your insurance company. However, ignoring the violation is not an option. Failure to pay the fine within 30 days of the notice date can result in additional late fees and, eventually, a referral to a collection agency.

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For drivers who believe they were wrongly cited, the PPA provides a formal process to contest the Notice of Violation. This process requires requesting a hearing within 30 days of the date on the NOV.

Fact 3: The Camera Activation is Part of Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Initiative

The new camera in Hunting Park is not an isolated revenue-generating scheme; it is a direct result of Philadelphia's commitment to the Vision Zero program.

Vision Zero is a global safety strategy with a singular goal: eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The City of Philadelphia officially recommitted to this goal in March 2024, recognizing the disproportionate number of severe crashes on its streets.

The PPA’s automated enforcement program is a key pillar of this strategy. Intersections are selected based on hard data—specifically, the history of crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The Hunting Park area, with its blend of commercial traffic, residential density, and high-speed corridors like Broad Street, has unfortunately qualified as a priority zone for these life-saving interventions. The expansion of these systems is supported by the PPA’s FY 2025 report, which details ongoing upgrades and the addition of new camera locations based on city requests.

The data supports the effort: in Fiscal Year 2024, the PPA saw a nearly 40% increase in issued violations compared to the previous year, a trend attributed to new camera installations and technology upgrades, underscoring the severity of the problem the cameras are designed to fix.

Fact 4: How the Technology Works and What Triggers a Ticket

The automated red light enforcement system is highly sophisticated and designed to minimize errors. It is not triggered by a car simply crossing the white stop line.

A violation occurs only when a vehicle enters the intersection *after* the traffic signal has turned completely red. The system uses a combination of sensors and high-resolution cameras to capture the infraction.

• First Photo: Captures the vehicle before it enters the intersection while the light is red, clearly showing the red signal.
• Second Photo: Captures the vehicle in the middle of the intersection, confirming the violation.
• Video Clip: A short video segment is also recorded to provide irrefutable evidence of the vehicle’s movement through the intersection.

Crucially, the system is calibrated to allow for vehicles already in the intersection when the light changes (e.g., waiting to make a left turn). Drivers who enter on a yellow light and clear the intersection after it turns red are generally not ticketed. The system is specifically targeting drivers who intentionally or negligently enter the intersection after the signal has turned red.

Fact 5: The Program’s Future and Potential for Expansion

The red light camera program in Philadelphia, initially created as a pilot program by the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 2005, has proven to be a permanent fixture in the city’s traffic landscape.

The state law that governs the program is continually being reviewed for permanence and expansion. There has been legislative discussion to allow more municipalities across Pennsylvania to install red light cameras and to make the existing programs permanent, which would ensure the Hunting Park camera—and others—remain operational indefinitely.

Furthermore, the PPA has been actively considering an increase in the penalty for red light camera violations, with proposals to raise the base fine from $100 to $150. While this change has not yet been enacted, it signals the city's intent to use financial penalties as a more significant deterrent to dangerous driving.

For drivers in the Hunting Park and North Philadelphia areas, the message is clear: the era of the warning is over. The automated enforcement is fully active, and the $100 fine is the new reality for anyone who fails to stop at a red light.