red light violation help!!

L1LMAMAJ · Sep 15, 2009

hi guys so my friend and i were in the car (she was driving) and somehow she is trying to cross the intersection and the light turns red then the camera takes a picture of it. it really wasn't her fault because when she entered the intersection it was not red but the stupid bus in front of her was slowing down. i'm sure the camera got her plates. so my question is, how can she contest the ticket? it just happened today but we're pretty sure they're gonna give her a ticket. we just wanted to know what options she has and be prepared in case she does get a ticket. help?

TISH1124 · Sep 15, 2009

The camera knows exactly when she entered the intersection second by second ...turn by turn....they sent my dh pictures and it showed where he was at second 2, 3, 4 etc.....and what color the light was and all other cars in the intersection at each second interval

gildedangel · Sep 15, 2009

It is VERY hard to contest a ticket in which pictures are used as evidence. It doesn't matter if the bus in front of the car was slow, running a red is running a red. If the pictures show that she was technically clear, then she may be able to contest the ticket. Was she blocking the intersection with the bus stopping in front of her?

L1LMAMAJ · Sep 16, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gildedangel

It is VERY hard to contest a ticket in which pictures are used as evidence. It doesn't matter if the bus in front of the car was slow, running a red is running a red. If the pictures show that she was technically clear, then she may be able to contest the ticket. Was she blocking the intersection with the bus stopping in front of her?

it wasn't blocking like completely stopped but because the bus was going so slow, it took her a really long time to get to the other side of the intersection and the whole time, it was red.

so my other question is: is there any harm to try to contest it? i read online u can do it in person or in the mail (mail is a better option) but if theyh still say she's guilty, does the fine go up?

TISH1124 · Sep 16, 2009

Not sure about Cali.....But in TX they are really easy to contest....There was a ruling against the automated ticketing process....So check with your particular Cali laws regarding Auto Ticketing ...In TX you are given options to take a safety course which my dh did online and his ticket was voided

Traffic Camera Lobbyists Score Big Win in Texas Legislature

gildedangel · Sep 16, 2009

It does depend on your states laws and how accurate/good the picture system in your area. The fine should not go up if she attempts to contest it, but that could be different in Cali. Check your local county/state laws.

Half N Half · Sep 16, 2009

It does depend on the state, but here in WA it's not that hard to contest at all. I have gotten out of SEVERAL camera tickets! Once the ticket arrives she should be able to just mail in a response basically blaming it on the bus lol. Either they will drop it or she will be able to make a court appearance if she choses to do so. In that case I'm guessing they would, at the very least, lower her fine for even making an effort to challenge it. HTH

xsnowwhite · Sep 16, 2009

Ugh those things are such a rip off. I got one once from me going on green but same situation, person in front of me went too freaking slow. I think those things are photoshopped seriously because in the picture it shows me leaving the light on a red, which i didn't/would never do. Anyways luckily our first one is free(maybe yours is too), but I dont know how easy it would be to get out of it though, sorry.

MaskedBeauty · Sep 16, 2009

In california as long as your car is at least halfway across the crosswalk before the light turns red then you are ok because you were already entered into the intersection before the light was red. At least thats what I was told.

L1LMAMAJ · Sep 16, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsnowwhite

Ugh those things are such a rip off. I got one once from me going on green but same situation, person in front of me went too freaking slow. I think those things are photoshopped seriously because in the picture it shows me leaving the light on a red, which i didn't/would never do. Anyways luckily our first one is free(maybe yours is too), but I dont know how easy it would be to get out of it though, sorry.

how did u get it free? did u contest it? it woudl be her first offense too

TISH1124 · Sep 16, 2009

My dh has contested so many of these they have sent him tickets at least three times for failing to come to a complete stop and they have been dismissed everytime....I have NO idea how he keeps getting them I told him his truck must be booby trapped. I ask him every time if he was guilty...he said I don;t care I am contesting it lol ....He speeds al the time and he even gets pulled over all the time by live cops and he always manages to contest them and get out of them...so weird...I just pay because I hate the hassle lol

Dr_Girlfriend · Sep 16, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gildedangel

It is VERY hard to contest a ticket in which pictures are used as evidence. It doesn't matter if the bus in front of the car was slow, running a red is running a red. If the pictures show that she was technically clear, then she may be able to contest the ticket. Was she blocking the intersection with the bus stopping in front of her?

Exactly. I mean, when I still lived in Atlanta, I received a camera ticket in the mail 6 months after the fact. I was in a rental at the time and they went through the effort to track me down. One of the only ways I know to get out of it is to contest it by signing an affidavit AND the info of the person driving at the time. It almost it not worth it for her to take the time off of work in order to contest it.

crystalclear · Sep 16, 2009

I have no idea what the law is like where you are but in the UK, if it is a strict liability offence it does not matter if it was her fault or not, if she went through the red light etc, she would be liable no matter how horrible or unfair it is. The only get out clause would be if she denied it happened and could support that claim, otherwise in the long run it would be better to hope they didn't send a ticket and just pay it (unless it could impact on her job for example points on her license etc)

xsnowwhite · Sep 17, 2009

Here , your first offense is free and the fee is waived so technically it's a warning.

TISH1124 · Sep 17, 2009

^^ yeah I am pretty sure the laws are different for every city/state/county...If she gets a ticket I would surely contact them and try to contest it...It never hurts to try ...don't base it off another person's experience, state, etc......you may be pleasantly surprised how easy it may be to avoid having to pay it....Like I said I am in Texas where cops normally NEVER cut you a break but my dh has gotten at least 3 and never had to pay any of the three...I asked him just now to make sure...he said he had to go in for two of them and he was down there an hour tops....so it was worth not paying the 75-100 bucks and having it go on his driving record

L1LMAMAJ · Sep 17, 2009

ok cool thanks for the help ladies. i just saw on a website that if the front of your bumper passes the first crosswalk line before the light is steadily red, you're clear (in CA). sometimes the cameras flash just to see what they get. i've gotten flashed by the cameras once and never got a ticket. i really hope they will let her go (if she gets a camera) since it's her first offense.

User27 · Sep 18, 2009

*****

TISH1124 · Sep 18, 2009

^^ Oh he gets no more tickets he bought some damn radar detector that they had to install in his truck and cost us $1500 ...I was pissed like you would not believe but hell it's his money so what can you do...I buy makeup he buys STUFF

L1LMAMAJ · Sep 18, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1124

^^ Oh he gets no more tickets he bought some damn radar detector that they had to install in his truck and cost us $1500 ...I was pissed like you would not believe but hell it's his money so what can you do...I buy makeup he buys STUFF

wow that is quite an investment!! imagine all the stuff u can buy!

TISH1124 · Sep 18, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by L1LMAMAJ

wow that is quite an investment!! imagine all the stuff u can buy!

yeah he spends like crazy...he is a Electronic Engineer which translates to a Electronic Junkie...But you know he is the one who works pays all the bills and allows me to buy whatever I want so I try not to ever complain...How can I honestly...I pick my battles wisely...and his spending is not one of them lol

red light violation help!!

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