Jon Mani | May 26, 2026 | Car Accidents
Columbus, OH, previously had 44 automated traffic and red light cameras to monitor for violations and send traffic citations to drivers in the mail. However, Ohio law now heavily regulates the use of these cameras for identifying and sending citations.
You are likely to still see many cameras in various locations throughout Columbus, so keep reading below to learn more about how they are used.
Does Columbus, OH, Have Traffic and Red Light Cameras?
The answer to this question is not quite as straightforward as it might seem. Yes, Columbus does have traffic cameras located at many intersections throughout the city. However, these cameras are no longer used to enforce traffic violations.
Previously, these cameras would snap photos of vehicles that entered the intersection after the light turned red. A citation would then be mailed to the vehicle’s owner. However, Ohio has implemented laws at the state level that restrict a township’s ability to use cameras for this purpose.
Under the current law, cameras may still be used, but a live police officer must be present at the intersection and witness the violation. Practically speaking, this new law keeps most cities from using cameras for the purpose of issuing tickets. Instead, Columbus now uses the cameras for real-time traffic monitoring.
How Many Traffic Cameras Are in Use in Columbus, OH?
When the city was using traffic cameras to issue automated citations, it had 44 cameras serving that purpose. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, there are more than 1,300 traffic cameras across the state that are used for traffic congestion monitoring.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many cameras are located in Columbus, but the most recent data suggests that the city operates 131 traffic cameras at various intersections throughout the city. Columbus also has roughly 200 downtown security cameras that are used for both traffic monitoring and security.
How Traffic Cameras Can Help You After a Car Accident
Most drivers are likely happy that they won’t have to worry about getting a ticket in the mail because of a traffic camera. Another piece of good news is that these cameras can come in handy after a car accident. The camera footage could be used to show exactly what happened during the accident, and you may be able to use the footage as evidence to establish the at-fault driver’s liability.
Traffic cameras can provide objective evidence that may be used to prove who was at fault for an accident. Unlike witness testimony, which could sometimes be biased toward one side or the other, the camera footage can be used by the judge or jury to reach a determination about what happened.
How Can I Get Footage From a Columbus Traffic Camera?
If you are involved in an accident, there is a chance that the accident was caught on camera. However, it is extremely important that you act quickly if you need to request the footage. The Ohio Department of Transportation states that most of its cameras retain buffer footage for 72 hours. This means that the footage is retained for a maximum of 3 days.
To get footage, you can easily request it using the ODOT camera request form. You will need to provide:
- Your name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Your organization (such as private citizen, insurance company, news media, etc.)
- The camera from which you need the footage
- The start date and time of the incident
- The duration of the footage you need
If you believe a Columbus traffic camera captured your accident, it is important to act quickly.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Columbus Car Accident Attorney
If you have been hurt in an accident and need traffic camera footage for a personal injury claim in Ohio, you should likely talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help. Your lawyer can help you request any available footage of your accident and obtain it in a timely fashion.
To schedule a free consultation with a Columbus car accident lawyer, contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers. We proudly serve clients throughout Franklin County from our Columbus, OH, office and throughout Kanawha County from our Charleston, WV, office.
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
20 E Broad St Suite 1000, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 587-8423
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 39.96270905583009, -82.99956356191063
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Charleston, WV Office
10 Hale St Suite 501, Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 720-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.348382927211865, -81.635109451865
About the Author
Jon Mani is a founding partner and personal injury attorney at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers. With over 20 years of experience representing injured individuals in West Virginia and Ohio, Jon focuses on complex cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, nursing home abuse, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. He is known for his strategic, hands-on approach to litigation and has held leadership roles within the legal community, including serving as President of the West Virginia Association for Justice. Click here to see some of the firm’s most notable case results.
Locations: Charleston, WV, and Columbus, OH
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