RLC got my 70
 

First in my 22 years of driving. Red Light Camera got my 70 on a left turn. My 70 was already past the 2nd white line when turned red. WTF $498.00 fine:wow:. What are my chances of winning if i fight this? Never had a ticket before so i have no experience challenging this.

Close to none. If this is like NYC, there would be 3 picture of you, prior to you running the red, running the red, and after you run the red so it has your license plate.

Unless you can prove that you had a legitimate reason to run the red I.e.: to prevent an accident or out of necessity, etc. If you've had a clean driving record, I might recommend using a traffic lawyer so you can have the fine reduced and/or points reduced (if you're in NYC).

Hire a traffic lawyer...

Craig

Well OP, if you had a STATE in your profile, or in the post, then MAYBE YOU COULD GET SOME STATE SPECIFIC ADVICE! ;)

If you are already IN the intersection when it turns red, that is a bad cite. It depends on your state, how they define the intersection, and what evidence they have for you to use. In some CA cameras they have a video too.

Did you get a citation, or a letter from a private company asking you to come to court?

Most people wienie out, but there is a legal tactic to ignore a letter from a private company.... you've not 'promised to appear', nor have you been 'served'. Most jurisdictions will either let it slide, or maybe try a bit and give up. Once an officer hands you a citation, or a process server hands you a document, THEN you need to respond.

(The above advice not 'legal advice', for sure... just wanted to bring up that it isn't as black and white as the 'system' wants you to think.)

Like I said, most sheeple go the path of least resistance.

Take some time, look into the possible defenses, weigh the pros and cons, and THEN make the decision. Try not to be overwhelmed by the process nor the courts/law. Remember two things (1) they work for you, and (2) if they were as smart as you they wouldn't be doing what they do. You may end up with a lawyer, but YOU should be fully versed in the issue first- clients that are well prepared and know the general steps tend to do better, stress less, and pay less.

A


PS xoutpost members who are LEOs excepted. ;)

wtf...$498 for a red light ticket...that is hurts :(...I try to be very careful next time with those cameras at the intersections in Orange County areas.

Where did it happen man?

498? where are you? i dun think even NYC tickets you that much... i could be wrong but i dunno =[ i dun think thats fair at all!

Red light tickets are usually about $75.00. No points and not worth fighting in court. They are just another source of tax revenue for the state.

$75 for mine a couple years ago. They've put up so many around here that I don't even think about running yellows anymore. All for the better, unless you've already got a good amount of speed and don't want to stop short.

Just pay the fine, and next time you will have added reason to stop when the light indicates you should.

San Diego, I took traffic school (the most boring class I've ever sat in) so no points were charged to my record. the thing is the fine is more when you go to traffic school. no video of the incident but they sure got my mug inside driving the X :rofl:. Expensive lesson learned

You actually went to a physical class?!?!?

Years ago I did ON LINE traffic school- the entire thing- watching TV in a hour or two.

Only way to go (if permitted by the court, of course...)

Yup, online was also available but you still have to provide the court proof of identity. I just consider it my contribution to Californias deficit

Spray some photo blocker on your plates.

No More Red Light Camera Tickets. Make Your Car Invisible To Police Speed Cameras With Our License Plate Cover, PhotoBlocker Spray, Radar Detectors, GPS, GPS Camera Detectors. Got A Traffic Ticket? Don’t Pay Yet. We Can Help Fight Your Speeding

Everything I've ever read says this stuff is bullshit.

TaMbALoLoNg! I feel for ya!

My wife just got a RLCT too! They want $446 or $510 w/traffic school.

My wife insists that the light turned red too fast. Does anyone know what the legal minimum length a light is required to stay yellow? I heard it depends on the posted speed limit too.

I figure the only way, we'd fight it is to get (video) prooft that shows that the city either purposely shortened the yellow light to a illegal limit (or maybe the light is just not functionally properly). Otherwise, looks like we'll have to pay for it.

:(

I tried this about five years ago. Didn't work.

Depends on the State and city. Apparentl Federal Guidelines say between 3-6 seconds, but nobody really has to follow those guidelines.

Here's an article from Chicago you might find interesting/helpful:


Yellow lights in city shorter than in suburbs - chicagotribune.com

Here is another interesting link; however, the times they recommend have no legal status, but do seem to match Federal guidelines, but additional speed information:

Yellow Light Time Standards | Stop Short Yellow Lights

There was a landmark case somewhat local to me about this... a RLC at Watt & Fair Oaks in Sacramento (look it up)

Unfortunately, it required someone with diligence to fight his ticket way up the 'chain'...

In summary, there is a minimum yellow- it must allow for reaction time plus safe stopping from the posted limit. State law is 3.0 seconds AT A MINIMUM. (at 25mph... goes to 4.3 at 45mph)

Interesting reading:


Home - Fighting Red Light Camera Tickets

6 Cities That Were Caught Shortening Yellow Light Times For Profit

Has your wife agreed to appear in court yet? I'd certainly spend some time learning your (her) rights.

A

PS And hey, if you screw up the defense you can always promise to visit her! :)

Some AZ articles:
Arizona Group Forces Red Light Ticket Refund | The Truth About Cars

Another City Caught Lowering Yellow Light Times To Catch More Red Light Runners | Techdirt

Uno mas - WSJ "The WAR on Short Yellows": http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123975737976619187.html

Thanks guys! Got all fired up with the info you guys provided. Looked at her ticket to try to find out if there is any mention of "time" on the photos. The ticket actually has a reference to a website where you can actually see the whole thing on video! She was completely guilty!!! Confronted her with the video, her response "No way! I totally thought the yellow switched much faster". Gonna pay the ticket now.