TougeHorseman

I was in my old eclipse on rainy El Camino (Menlo Park) at night. I had no ABS and as I safely proceeded through the intersection noticed the yellow light was super short and turned red before I could even react, and was cited for running a red light. Sure they had the whole thing on camera, etc, so I didn't even both fighting it, just did the traffic school. My alternate to safely proceeding through the intersection was locking up my non-ABS-brakes and sliding through.

Now I make a point of laying on my horn and revving as I go through every traffic camera enforced intersection. I don't know why, that's just how I do it now. It makes me feel better about the situation.

KoketsuCivicSi

It depends on whether or not the municipality shares revenue with the state or not. If it does, then the points would indeed count. If the municipality and vendor exclusively share the revenue, most likely you'll keep getting collection letters until you either pay up or the ordinance is eventually overturned.

Here's a link to a lot of articles regarding this very common problem: www.thetruthaboutcars.com/author/the-newspaper/

Upon reading these articles, there are some familiarities regarding traffic cameras:
- City councils and vendors (Redflex, American Traffic Solutions...) are in cahoots with each other
- They claim safety as a reason for the installation of cameras
- Increasing yellow times actually decreases accidents
- Legality issues with State Traffic Codes
- Vendors make it as difficult as possible to challenge violations

slightly2ned

Yes, without reasonable doubt, the judge & person checking the photos (their name is listed in the citation) have to be able to identify the drivers face. If they cannot, then they will not be able to issue a ticket. If they do & you go to court & they cannot match the photo to the driver's face, then typically the case is dismissed & you will receive a refund of the ticket fees you paid.

Voodoo_S2K

I had to deal with a 3 year old red light camera ticket this year. I ignored the one and only "citation" I received from Fremont regarding it 3 years ago. Never saw anything pop up on my driving record, so I figured no big deal. Earlier this year, they finally come after me to try and collect on the money they felt I owned them. I took the case to court and beat the ticket. Technically the case was dismissed based on my claim that I had the legal right to cross examine the person whom reviewed the original photos and video of the violation in court. The State argued that they had a new expert whom would testify to the facts, to which I countered I was not be afforded due process to cross examine all witness.

Over the years, I've won and lost my share of cases, but this one was my favorite. I actually got a fist bump from one of the court workers for winning.

Voodoo_S2K

It would be nice if it worked that way, but generally the police department will issue a citation to whomever owns the car and leave it up to you to prove your innocence or pressure you into turning in the person that was driving the car at the time.

slightly2ned

^ Wouldnt the 5th work on the "pressuring part".

"Technically the case was dismissed based on my claim that I had the legal right to cross examine the person whom reviewed the original photos and video of the violation in court. The State argued that they had a new expert whom would testify to the facts, to which I countered I was not be afforded due process to cross examine all witness "


Vu, could you explain this part more? I would like to know/understand this better. Thanks!

Voodoo_S2K

The 5th only applies to you, not to you giving someone else up. If you are saying it isn't you, how can you "plead" the 5th?

Easier to explain in person.

slightly2ned

You would plead the 5th to comment on the question about, "who".

S2KVee

supposely each traffic cam takes 2 or more pictures. one right after another to determine if the vehicle is actually in violation... for instance... 1st picture taken at 8:00 and 15 seconds, your vehicle is 2 feet past the crosswalk, 2nd pic at 17 seconds your vehicle is 5 feet past the crosswalk... you would be in violation.. if your vehicle didn't move any futher but pictures were taken, you should be fine....

there arent many ways to move around this but there is a trick... red light cams are indeed hard to contest.. so easiest way is to just pay for it.. the only issue is that even though its a photo violation, its still considered a moving violation. The fine will be sent in the name of the registered owner of the car.. if the picture isn't that clear, you can substitute the driver for someone else.. i would say an elderly grandma who has a drivers license but hardly or retired driving take the point.... lol

chetly

I got a redlight ticket a while ago, did the whole trail by declaration and was still found guilty. I went to court to plead my case. There were 18 people there for red light violations that day. Of the 18 that were there, I was the only one that got my case dismissed because at the time of trail, the officer that issued the ticket was on vacation. Otherwise, I would have been stuck paying as well.