New Red-Light Camera System Installed on Avenida San Sebastián in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Road safety in busy urban areas is back in the headlines following news about a traffic enforcement camera in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Fuentefría driving school recently shared on social media that an automated surveillance system is now operating on Avenida San Sebastián to monitor traffic light compliance.

This technology, often called a "photo-red" system, is different from a standard speed camera. Instead of checking how fast a car is moving, these high-precision cameras record the exact moment a vehicle crosses the stop line after the light has turned red. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) uses these devices to reduce accidents at intersections, where side-impact collisions and risks to pedestrians are most common.

Under Spanish law, running a red light is considered a serious offense. Drivers caught doing so face a 200-euro fine and the loss of four points from their license. It is important to remember that the law requires a vehicle to come to a complete stop; simply slowing down without stopping fully before the line is still a violation of traffic regulations.

The signs posted on the avenue are not meant to be punitive, but rather a warning that automated monitoring is in place. By making these systems visible, authorities hope to discourage dangerous driving and ensure that everyone follows traffic signals to keep the city’s roads safe.