How to Get Traffic & Red-Light Camera Footage in San Bernardino

Traffic and red-light camera footage in San Bernardino can provide clear evidence of how a collision occurred. Many intersections, freeways, and shopping centers use video systems that capture vehicles entering and exiting intersections. 

If you were involved in a crash, these recordings may show the moments leading up to the impact, helping establish fault or confirm witness statements.

Understanding how to get traffic and red–light camera footage in San Bernardino is essential for protecting your claim. The process involves identifying which agency or business controls the camera, submitting a request within the retention window, and following procedures to preserve evidence. 

A San Bernardino car accident lawyer can assist with these steps and ensure requests are filed correctly and on time.

Where Traffic Enforcement Cameras Are Located in San Bernardino

San Bernardino no longer operates red-light ticket cameras. However, several other types of video systems may record roadway activity. A different entity manages each type and follows its own rules for access and retention.

City and Police-Run Cameras

The San Bernardino Police Department uses a network of Flock Safety license-plate-reader cameras positioned across the city. 

These cameras capture vehicles and license plates but not faces, and data is typically stored for about 30 days before being deleted. They are used for law enforcement and investigative purposes, not to issue red-light citations.

State Highway Cameras 

Caltrans District 8 maintains live-stream cameras along freeways and major state routes in and around San Bernardino. 

These cameras are intended for real-time traffic management and do not record or archive footage. Because of this, they are useful only for live monitoring and cannot provide past video.

Transit System Cameras 

Omnitrans, the regional public transit agency, equips its buses with onboard cameras for passenger and driver safety. 

The agency has also proposed security cameras, emergency phones, and public-announcement systems at selected bus stops with higher safety concerns, though these features are not yet citywide.

Private-Property Cameras

Private surveillance systems capture many car accidents in San Bernardino. Businesses, apartment complexes, and gas stations frequently operate exterior cameras that may record nearby streets and parking lots. 

Some residential areas also use doorbell or neighborhood security cameras that can provide valuable footage. Because most of these systems overwrite data quickly, requests should be made as soon as possible after a crash.

Each of these camera types follows its own procedures for access, so identifying who controls the footage is the first step. A San Bernardino car accident lawyer can help determine where the relevant video might be stored, send preservation requests, and formally request copies before they are deleted.

How Long Camera Footage Is Kept (Retention Windows)

Retention periods differ widely across camera systems, and many devices automatically overwrite older footage. Acting promptly after a crash can be critical because footage may not be available later.

Highway Cameras 

Caltrans freeway cameras in San Bernardino provide live views only and do not retain recordings. They are used to manage traffic in real time, so no historical video is available.

City or Transit Cameras

The San Bernardino Police Department’s license‑plate reader system stores captured data for about 30 days before it is deleted. 

For bus security cameras operated by transit agencies, California law generally requires the footage to be kept for one year, although local agencies may shorten the retention period to 90 days if certain conditions are met. If the video relates to a pending claim or lawsuit, it must be preserved until the matter is resolved.

Private Businesses 

Surveillance systems at gas stations, shopping centers, apartments, and private homes often overwrite data quickly. Standard storage periods range from roughly 24 hours to a month, depending on the equipment and settings. 

Some businesses keep footage longer, but many do not, so it’s important to request preservation as soon as possible after an incident.

How to Request Traffic Camera Footage in San Bernardino

When submitting a records request, be clear and precise so the agency can locate the correct footage.

• Identify the exact location and time: Clearly state the intersection or roadway segment, cross‑streets, and the direction of travel. Narrow the time window to the smallest feasible range and include the date. Providing vehicle details and any relevant report or incident number increases the chance of identifying the correct video.
• Submit a Public Records Act request: San Bernardino public agencies process requests for city‑maintained traffic or security video through their public records portals. Use the City of San Bernardino or San Bernardino County online request portals to file a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request. Supply your detailed description, attach any supporting documents, and include your contact information. If the incident involves a police report, follow the police department’s report‑request procedure as instructed.
• Request any available still images if video is not retained: Many freeway cameras show live feeds only, and some city cameras may not retain recordings beyond a brief period. If footage is not available, ask whether still images, logs, or snapshots exist for the date and time of your incident. Even a single frame can confirm vehicle position or timing.
• Ask for fee details: Public agencies may charge copying or research fees for video records. CPRA requests might involve nominal costs per page or per copy, and private businesses often recoup costs for duplicating footage. Clarifying potential fees early helps you plan for processing times and expenses.

Sample request language:

“I am requesting any available traffic camera footage or still images for [intersection] on [date] from [start time] to [end time] relating to a motor vehicle accident. Please let me know if fees apply and whether footage is still retained.”

Requesting Private Traffic Video Footage (Businesses, Apartments, Doorbells)

It is helpful to contact private property owners in person or by phone to avoid delays.

• Speak to a manager or property owner: Introduce yourself, be polite, and explain the incident. Let them know why the footage is important to you, especially if you are dealing with a personal injury claim.
• Provide the exact date and time: Narrow the viewing window as much as possible, and specify the location and direction of travel. Precision helps the owner locate the correct segment.
• Request immediate preservation: Ask the owner to save the footage and not delete or overwrite it. It’s often useful to send a written preservation letter that includes names, contact information, and a specific time range.
• Offer to cover reasonable copying costs: Indicate that you are willing to pay for the cost of copying or transferring the footage. This shows cooperation and can encourage the owner to assist you.
• If needed, your attorney can issue a subpoena: If the property owner refuses to release the video voluntarily, a lawyer can request it through a subpoena or court order. This legal step may be necessary to obtain footage that is critical to your case.

What Details You Must Include

Providing specific details prevents delays and increases the chance of locating the correct video. The more precise your request, the easier it is for agencies or businesses to find and preserve the right footage.

Details to provide:

• Exact date and time window: Include a narrow time range whenever possible to reduce search scope.
• Intersection name or business address: Identify the closest cross-streets, parking lot, or property name.
• Direction of travel or lane position: Indicate whether you were heading northbound, southbound, etc.
• Vehicle description and license plate (if known): Include make, model, and color to help confirm identification.
• Police report or incident number (if available): Reference this if a report was filed to link your request to official records.
• Your contact information: Provide a reliable email or phone number so the agency can follow up quickly.

How to Prove Time and Location Accurately

Agencies and businesses may ask how you confirmed the time and location of your accident. Use multiple forms of evidence to verify these details so your request is credible and complete.

Phone Photo or Video Timestamps

Modern smartphones embed EXIF metadata into photos and videos that includes the exact date, time, and location where a file was captured. Courts often consider this metadata reliable because it shows when and where you recorded the scene. 

Save your original files and provide copies with intact metadata when requesting footage; this helps confirm the window you are asking about.

Dashcam GPS Data

Many dashcams record GPS coordinates and speed along with video. This data can pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle before and after a collision. If you have dashcam footage, include a GPS log or export file with your request. 

Some attorneys recommend checking the dashcam’s time settings regularly; if the timestamp is slightly off, you may need to submit a sworn statement explaining the discrepancy.

Map Screenshots

Take screenshots from navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze that show the crash location and nearby cross‑streets. 

Mark your vehicle’s route and the specific intersection or driveway where the collision occurred. Mapping tools can also provide latitude and longitude coordinates, which strengthen your request.

Cross‑Street Naming from Navigation Apps

In your request, reference the names of intersecting streets and the direction of travel (for example, “eastbound on Baseline Street at the intersection with E Street”). 

This information narrows the search for traffic cameras and ensures agencies review the correct camera feed. Including a cross‑street or milepost number also helps law enforcement and property owners locate the relevant footage quickly.

By combining metadata, GPS logs, map screenshots, and precise intersection details, you provide a clear timeline and location for your request. This increases the likelihood that agencies or private owners will locate and preserve the correct video.

If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Some agencies may deny a request if the footage no longer exists, was overwritten, or is exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Others may delay responses due to workload or the need to review footage for privacy concerns.

Options if this happens:

• Narrow your request to a shorter time window: Reducing the time range makes it easier for staff to locate any remaining footage.
• Ask whether still images or logs exist: Even if video is unavailable, agencies may retain still frames, system logs, or metadata showing camera activity during the time of the crash.
• Resubmit with additional details: Include more precise information, such as lane direction, nearby landmarks, or vehicle descriptions. This can help the agency locate relevant material that was missed in the first search.
• Use an attorney subpoena if private footage is involved: If the video belongs to a private business or individual and they refuse to release it voluntarily, your attorney can request it formally through a subpoena or court order.

How an Attorney Can Help Secure Video

Working with an experienced attorney can make all the difference when obtaining traffic or security camera footage after a crash. At J&Y Law, our team handles every step of the process, from filing public records requests and communicating with agencies to sending preservation letters and issuing subpoenas when needed.

If you were injured in a car accident in San Bernardino, our San Bernardino car accident lawyers can move quickly to secure video evidence, review it for critical details, and use it to strengthen your injury claim. While we handle the legal process, you can stay focused on your health and recovery.