Got Red Light Ticket for Legal Right Turn on Red

[scrapser]

I got a red light ticket in the mail last weekend. I called the police to report that I was making a legal right turn on red (it happened the weekend before). They checked the photos and said the car doesn't look like it's turning but that they can see my right turn signal on. Despite this, they still consider it running a red light!

I heard from another person that got a ticket. He was making a left turn but had to wait for oncoming traffic to clear. By the time he was able to finish his turn the light turned red and he got a ticket.

These cameras are not able to handle real life situations and people are forced to pay for the mistakes.

[August]

Originally Posted by scrapser

I got a red light ticket in the mail last weekend. I called the police to report that I was making a legal right turn on red (it happened the weekend before). They checked the photos and said the car doesn't look like it's turning but that they can see my right turn signal on. Despite this, they still consider it running a red light!

I heard from another person that got a ticket. He was making a left turn but had to wait for oncoming traffic to clear. By the time he was able to finish his turn the light turned red and he got a ticket.

These cameras are not able to handle real life situations and people are forced to pay for the mistakes.

Can't you take your case to court?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by August

Can't you take your case to court?

Take it to court. Someone needs to stop the insanity. Might as well start with you.

[scrapser]

I would but the citation has two warnings in bold letters. The first says that challenging the citation is an admission of liability. The second says if I lose, I pay a higher fine, court costs, and run the risk of having my vehicle registration suspended. Obviously this system is intended as a cash cow and not about safety.

I've done research on the Internet and found that the majority of studies conclude red light cameras make intersections more dangerous because people are more likely to slam on their brakes at a yellow light to avoid a ticket.

I guess I'm getting old. I remember when America felt like a free country.

[bradclark1]

What actually happens is if you contest it you'll probably be in a room with forty other people contesting their tickets, then some DA assistants will come in and start calling names and you go up and plead your case. then if you can come to an arrangement alls well and good. If you don't then you will go to a real court(unlikely).
They give the "It will cost you speech" because if they didn't everyone would contest their tickets. If you showed up in spite of the warnings is showing them that you seriously think you are in the right and they take that into consideration. They will drop it or give you some kind of deal where it won't penalize you. Just make sure you have your picture with you.
This is from my experience anyway. Might not be the same as where you live but I doubt it.

[JetSnake]

You must be old. I have never felt like its been a free nation.

Originally Posted by scrapser

I would but the citation has two warnings in bold letters. The first says that challenging the citation is an admission of liability. The second says if I lose, I pay a higher fine, court costs, and run the risk of having my vehicle registration suspended. Obviously this system is intended as a cash cow and not about safety.

Get a good lawyer and challange that first statement. You admit NOTHING. Just because THEY say you are admitting liability doesn't make it so.

Second point - a lawyer can take the system to task. Make the government PROVE their case. Camera information can be mis-interpreted.

[sonar732]

Originally Posted by scrapser

I would but the citation has two warnings in bold letters. The first says that challenging the citation is an admission of liability. The second says if I lose, I pay a higher fine, court costs, and run the risk of having my vehicle registration suspended. Obviously this system is intended as a cash cow and not about safety.

I've done research on the Internet and found that the majority of studies conclude red light cameras make intersections more dangerous because people are more likely to slam on their brakes at a yellow light to avoid a ticket.

I guess I'm getting old. I remember when America felt like a free country.

From the sound of it, the "presumed innocent until proven guilty" clause doesn't apply to red light cameras. I'd get a lawyer to fight it.

[Chad]

I would take it to court also. It's rediculous that even though your flasher was on, that they would still say you were running a red light, even though you did turn right!

That probably makes no sense but it does to me

[Trex]

Originally Posted by sonar732

I'd get a lawyer to fight it.

One with a Barrett...

[XabbaRus]

I had to run a red light today. It was one of those temporary ones they set up for road works, but the idiots set the timer way too long. I pulled up as other cars were coming the other way. Then the oncoming traffic's light went red as you could see the cars sitting there. Usually within 30 seconds the light changes. I waited 2 to 3 minutes and still no change so since there was nothing coming and I could see well I jumped the light.

Normally don't do this.

anyway in you case I'd fight it all the way. In fact the system you have for right turns on red is good. Wish we had the same in the UK but for left turns instead.

[scrapser]

I think what "they" are counting on is how much it would cost to contest the citation. I don't see how I could do it on principal, take a day off from work, and hire a lawyer (unless it was done pro bono).

To add some more info to the mix....

The citation does not go on my record. Because it's a red light camera, it's treated the same as a parking ticket...not as a moving violation (if a police officer cited me...it would). All I'm out is $75.

It's a county owned and controlled program but if I try to fight it, it falls into the jurisdiction of the district court of the state.

Red light cameras are made with bulletproof casing and bulletproof glass (gee, I wonder why).

Residents and business owners living in the vicinity can request the camera be moved because it poses a danger of bullets that ricochet off the box. If officials say it poses no threat, all you have to do is ask why they made it bulletproof!

Personally I think we are witnessing the advent of someone's bright idea to make money for local governments. But it's backfiring all over the country. Two weeks ago on MSNBC there was an article on how Dallas, Texas is shutting their entire system down. Why? Because they are now getting less income from traffic citations as people become aware of the cameras and use alternate routes or drive through them very carefully.

There are two speed cameras near where I live that I have to drive through to go grocery shopping. They were installed last fall. For the first few weeks, you saw flashbulbs popping all the time. Now you see everyone drive normal until they get to the cameras...slow way down until they are past them...then speed back up. It's sort of funny to watch.

[August]

Originally Posted by scrapser

I guess I'm getting old. I remember when America felt like a free country.

You wouldn't be the first one to have to fight for his rights. Remember freedom isn't free.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by scrapser

I would but the citation has two warnings in bold letters. The first says that challenging the citation is an admission of liability. The second says if I lose, I pay a higher fine, court costs, and run the risk of having my vehicle registration suspended. Obviously this system is intended as a cash cow and not about safety.

I've done research on the Internet and found that the majority of studies conclude red light cameras make intersections more dangerous because people are more likely to slam on their brakes at a yellow light to avoid a ticket.

I guess I'm getting old. I remember when America felt like a free country.

Your first paragraph...that is the insanity. What I would do is contact the local paper and your county councilman. At the very least you can voice your opinion and get someone to get this camera removed.