Red light cameras
01-03-2009, 01:29 PM
#1
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Red light cameras
So, I checked my mail today to find a traffic ticket for a red light camera.
Apparently taking a right on red is running a red light.
Here's the kicker. It would cost more money to go to court over this than to actually pay the ticket. I will probably eat it cause its a hassle. It does not cause points on my driving record so no insurance increases.
Attached are pictures of the infraction.
Apparently taking a right on red is running a red light.
Here's the kicker. It would cost more money to go to court over this than to actually pay the ticket. I will probably eat it cause its a hassle. It does not cause points on my driving record so no insurance increases.
Attached are pictures of the infraction.
01-03-2009, 01:31 PM
#2
Did you stop before making the right turn? I noticed that the speed didn't change in those photos and the 8 can certainly make that turn at 21mph...
You didn't even tap the brakes, did you?
You didn't even tap the brakes, did you?
01-03-2009, 01:33 PM
#3
Where there any signs stating "No Turn On Red" ? Cause I don't see any in the pics. I think that would be a good argument in court. I thought right turns on red were legal unless otherwise stated by a sign. "No Turn On Red".
Are these the only pics you have? Is there no picture of the driver?
As just mentioned it looks like you didn't stop. That will get you a ticket.
Are these the only pics you have? Is there no picture of the driver?
As just mentioned it looks like you didn't stop. That will get you a ticket.
Last edited by Easy_E1; 01-03-2009 at 01:35 PM.
01-03-2009, 01:46 PM
#5
you got the ticket because you didnt come to a stop.
if you had even tapped your brakes so that your brake lights were on in the photos, you could simply photocopy them and write a letter to the judge and have it removed.
you HAVE to come to a complete stop at a redlight BEFORE you make a right hand turn.
if you had even tapped your brakes so that your brake lights were on in the photos, you could simply photocopy them and write a letter to the judge and have it removed.
you HAVE to come to a complete stop at a redlight BEFORE you make a right hand turn.
01-03-2009, 01:49 PM
#6
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there's nothing to fight here... turning on a red IS running it. either way, you're going to have to pass the limit line after the light is red. red means stop, not check and go..
01-03-2009, 01:54 PM
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I watched the video too and when the first picture was taken I was actually accelerating to turn. I saw the 21mph at the top and am puzzled by it as well.
The only thing I can think of is that I did not come to a complete stop. So they might have me there. But I was going pretty slow. I should of not yielded to the yellow and punched it.
The only thing I can think of is that I did not come to a complete stop. So they might have me there. But I was going pretty slow. I should of not yielded to the yellow and punched it.
01-03-2009, 01:56 PM
#9
Vtak just kicked in yo!!
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I watched the video too and when the first picture was taken I was actually accelerating to turn. I saw the 21mph at the top and am puzzled by it as well.
The only thing I can think of is that I did not come to a complete stop. So they might have me there. But I was going pretty slow. I should of not yielded to the yellow and punched it.
The only thing I can think of is that I did not come to a complete stop. So they might have me there. But I was going pretty slow. I should of not yielded to the yellow and punched it.
WHat did you gain by trying to make it, a ticket and and you arrived 15 seconds earlier than you would've.
I got 10 bucks that says a moderator will close this within 20 minutes
01-03-2009, 02:06 PM
#14
How can you cite a car for running a red light? It isn't in control. The driver is. Next thing you know cars will be running around by them selves running up the fines on their owners. The ones that never change their oil or wash them. The neglected cars fight back.
01-03-2009, 02:08 PM
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No pictures of me behind the wheel.
I could get out of it if I got an attorney and showed up at court. Its just that it would cost me MORE to fight it than not.
Since I was creeping up to the light anyways the camera doesn't show far enough back to see if I made a complete stop. There is a quiznos right there that I grab lunch at all the time and the driveway is literally barely out of the picture. And the driveway is a steep hill so I roll down it pretty slow.
If I could I would post the video but the violation website doesn't allow it. Doesn't allow printing or saving pictures either. Printsceen works though...
I could get out of it if I got an attorney and showed up at court. Its just that it would cost me MORE to fight it than not.
Since I was creeping up to the light anyways the camera doesn't show far enough back to see if I made a complete stop. There is a quiznos right there that I grab lunch at all the time and the driveway is literally barely out of the picture. And the driveway is a steep hill so I roll down it pretty slow.
If I could I would post the video but the violation website doesn't allow it. Doesn't allow printing or saving pictures either. Printsceen works though...
01-03-2009, 02:09 PM
#17
No judge will buy that. If the car is registered to you and a red light camera catches it running a light, you are responsible.
01-03-2009, 02:13 PM
#19
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i had a friend who tried that approach and when he wouldnt produce a driver of the vehicle(playing that he didnt know, or was protecting someone) he got the fines anyway. it sounds stupid, but basically he was guilty until proven innocent - which he failed to do.
01-03-2009, 02:14 PM
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01-03-2009, 02:17 PM
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Not here is AZ. You must have a clear picture of who was driving the car. If there is no picture of the driver then there is no ticket.
Edit:
Friend of mine got out of a drinking and driving case because of reasonable doubt. He got in a wreck with no one else involved and was out of the vehicle when the cops arrived. State couldn't prove he was behind the wheel. The best thing about it, besides the no one getting hurt part but him, is he has never got behind the wheel again while drunk.
So yes, it is reasonable doubt. Any decent lawyer would be able to pull it off, but is it worth the hassle?
Last edited by HeavyMetal699; 01-03-2009 at 02:21 PM.
01-03-2009, 02:23 PM
#23
From http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsaf...ight_fact.html
"7. Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. The cameras do not capture an image of the driver. A violation of this city ordinance is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; as such, there is no need to identify the driver. Photos are taken of vehicles moving away from the camera and into the intersection. All that can be seen in the photo is the rear end of the vehicle and the license plate."
EDIT: Note that the ticket is a civil citation, not a criminal one. So the burden of evidence is less. Forget about a lawyer. And it's not a good idea to go to traffic court and perjure yourself.
Also note that the ticket is actually for *owning* the car that ran the light, not for *driving* the car that ran the light.
Last edited by Marklar; 01-03-2009 at 02:31 PM.
01-03-2009, 02:54 PM
#25
It's a Cavalier
No, not the same in Texas, at least not in Dallas, and I assume Houston is the same:
From http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsaf...ight_fact.html
"7. Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. The cameras do not capture an image of the driver. A violation of this city ordinance is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; as such, there is no need to identify the driver. Photos are taken of vehicles moving away from the camera and into the intersection. All that can be seen in the photo is the rear end of the vehicle and the license plate."
EDIT: Note that the ticket is a civil citation, not a criminal one. So the burden of evidence is less. Forget about a lawyer. And it's not a good idea to go to traffic court and perjure yourself.
Also note that the ticket is actually for *owning* the car that ran the light, not for *driving* the car that ran the light.
From http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsaf...ight_fact.html
"7. Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. The cameras do not capture an image of the driver. A violation of this city ordinance is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; as such, there is no need to identify the driver. Photos are taken of vehicles moving away from the camera and into the intersection. All that can be seen in the photo is the rear end of the vehicle and the license plate."
EDIT: Note that the ticket is a civil citation, not a criminal one. So the burden of evidence is less. Forget about a lawyer. And it's not a good idea to go to traffic court and perjure yourself.
Also note that the ticket is actually for *owning* the car that ran the light, not for *driving* the car that ran the light.
Finally, somebody brought up civil vs. criminal. It's just a civil violation, like a damn parking ticket.
HeavyMetal699, you already know it doesn't even count against your driving record or affect your insurance rates. Dude. Pay the ******* ticket. It's a no win if it costs more to fight it, and you know you rolled it.