Running a red light is illegal in all states and a ticket or citation for the infraction or offense may lead to a significant fine, demerit points on a driver’s license or driving record, and increased insurance premiums (upon conviction, guilty plea, or plea of no contest).

Due to limited resources many states use automated red-light cameras—also known as photo enforcement—to take a digital photograph of a vehicle (and its license plate) that violates the red light or traffic signal by entering the intersection and failing to stop after the light has turned red. The use of red-light cameras to issue traffic tickets or citations (mailed to the driver) has been controversial, with claims that it violates Constitutional rights.

Laws vary from state to state and in some states red-light cameras are a permitted enforcement tool; in some states they are prohibited; and in some states they are prohibited unless permitted by a local ordinance (city or town).

In South Carolina, running a red light is considered a traffic violation and is illegal under state law. Drivers who run a red light may be subject to fines, points on their driving record, and potential increases in insurance rates. South Carolina does not currently use automated red-light cameras for traffic enforcement. The state passed a law in 2007 that effectively banned the use of such cameras to issue tickets. This means that in South Carolina, all traffic citations for running a red light must be issued by a law enforcement officer who witnesses the violation. The prohibition of red-light cameras aligns with the concerns about constitutional rights and privacy that have been raised in various jurisdictions. As a result, drivers in South Carolina are not subject to automated photo enforcement for red light violations, but they must still adhere to traffic signals and can be pulled over and cited by police for running a red light.