Most of the cameras are just image capture and only occasionally have actual cameras loaded. There are far fewer cameras than actual boxes, so unless you saw a flash, there's a good chance there wasn't a camera in the box.
I'm pretty sure that's not true these days. Back in the days of film cameras, yes, but it's been all digital for years and the cost of the equipment is mich lower than it used to be, plus there's no manual intervention required.
@OP - if you didn't see a flash you can be fairly sure you didn't get flashed. They use still cameras, and there's usually two pictures taken. Never been done myself, but seen them flash at others quite a few times.
Vaud is particularly keen on camera-based traffic enforcement, presumably to maximise revenues at minimum expense.
I assumed that was the target, otherwise why bother? Flat out in my VW it ought to be possible, but a decent motorbike would be favourite, although you'd not get the proof, as I think they're all front-facing cameras (no front plate on a bike).
You don't really think road safety is the motivation for these, do you? If that were the case they'd site the cameras at danger points, rather than areas where many drivers might otherwise feel it safe to go over the limit, or worse, at places where there are several motorways merging and splitting and the limit has just changed, so you're so busy concentrating on merging traffic and which lane you need to be in you're likely to accidentally sway over the limit. I'm thinking of the one as you're going South downhill approaching Lausanne in particular. It's a tricky enough section as it is, without the additional hazard of drivers slamming their brakes on when they see the camera.
Do not see were yours is different from many of the others
There are four types of traffic light threads.
1) I was flashed while passing through red what do I have do expect.
2) I passed the lined at red but I do not think I was flashed, what will happen.
3) I passed by green but got flashed. What the heck?
4) I passed by orange but got flashed. Why?
Yours is the second one.
Answers:
1) A CHF 250 fine if you did pass within 2 seconds of turning red AND you did not endanger anyone. No further consquences. Otherwise a court ruling, a hefty fine, plus maybe a driving ban.
2) Most likely nothing. Except you dd not see the flash than see 1.
3) They also check for speed, you will get a speeding ticket, or you looked at the wrong traffic light, than see 1, or they tested the equipment, than nothing.
4) It just turned red before you fully passed the line than see 1 (PS: Orange means Stop if possible to stop before the line). If it was before green, than also the red was still on. If you did not endanger anyone see 1.
For any similar situation again: the cameras detect movement. If you reverse, they will flash again and it will count as much later after the red light started.
Well, I appreciate all the comments (except perhaps that last one). On further reflection and after driving past the area again, it seems it was not a traffic light, but some sort of walkway, with a traffic light some distance ahead.
Well I wanted to cross a pedestrian crossing a few days ago. It was controlled by traffic lights. It turned green for me and I stepped out just as a car came through on a red red light. He got some very choice words. And he was lucky he did not stop otherwise I would have damaged his car very badly. He saw that it was red.