I got a ticket turning right on a red light from a traffic camera. I was in a hurry and probably did not stop,just slowed down before making a right.I think its totally unfair that I have to pay $350 when there was no sign which says that right turn on red is not allowed. I really want to fight this. I have these options
1.I say the person in the pic isnt me, It is me but its not very clear.
2. Fight saying that there was no sign or red arrow which makes it illegal to turn right on red.
3.Fight it though mail which is possible according to ticketassasin.com (did anyone fight the court this way?)
Which is the best option? I really dont want to pay this fine, I have had 2 speeding tickets and I paid right away since I knew I was wrong, and I have been driving very carefully since.
2006-09-06 09:48:38 · 13 answers · asked by vjdude 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Los Angeles
You can drive carefully all you like, but with all these cameras being installed to generate revenues for the cities (forget the 'for safety' false claim), you are likely to get atleast one ticket. And cameras do not distinguish between running a red light and making a legal right turn.
Do what I did >>> visit phantomplate.com , get their free e-book on how to fight red light and speed cameras, and to protect yourself in the future, buy photoblocker spray which blinds the cameras and renders your plates unreadable. Best of all, the spray is clear and invisible to the naked eye
2006-09-10 09:01:59 · answer #1 · answered by nidia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Option 1 is out. The quality of the picture you receive in the mail is not the quality of the image they have captured. You will appear quite foolish, going in to challenge the ticket with your ink-jet print while they trot out the hi-def image from their camera.
Option 2 is tricky, depending on the actual citation. Did you get cited for running the red light, or for not coming to a complete stop? The way the red light cameras work is to take two images; one at the moment the light turns, and one a fraction of a second later. It is that second picture that is supposed to prove the vehicle is in the intersection AFTER the light change.
This fraction of a second delay is extremely short. You would have to go to court and convince the judge that within that fraction of a second, while traveling SLOW ENOUGH to make the turn, that (a) the light turned red, (b) you came to a complete stop, and (that you then proceded into the intersetion far enough to reach the point the camera captured the image.
Don't forget, they will still have the FIRST image, captured BEFORE you came to the intersection. They won't need to show that image until you make your claim.
I know you don't want the points added to your record (added to the two speeding tiks), but, in MY OPINION your best bet may be to show up in court, admit your likely guilt and, at least explain that you did attempt to make a proper stop and right turn. The judge may be able to reduce the charge and maybe even waive the fine.
By the way, I have NEVER actually met anyone who has shown me that he has successfully fought a red light camera ticket. Many have claimed it, and others have said they know of someone who had done it, but no first person accounts.
Good luck.
2006-09-06 17:38:08 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if there was no sign saying NO RIGHT TURN ON RED you are guilty. Those signs and the Right-Turn Law mean "Stop at intersection and then proceed after stopping if the road is clear." It doesn't mean just whip around the corner as though you have the right of way. Since you never stopped you lose.
One thing to do is avoid lying in court. If they find you lying you could go to jail for contempt of court for as long as the Judge thinks it will take for you to learn your lesson.
2006-09-06 16:56:58 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You admitted to being in a hurry and probably didn't stop on a red. You have to stop on a red. That right there is breaking the law, obviously if they ticketed you. Can't see how you could get out of it. Perhaps they will lower it for you, maybe.
Good luck though.
2006-09-06 16:52:25 · answer #4 · answered by Gina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have received 3 photo radar tickets which have all been dismissed. Just don't respond to them and they cannot serve you with the ticket. After a little over a hundred days they will dismiss the citation. They will attempt to serve you at your house as well, but just do not answer the door. Only by responding to the ticket does it become enforceable. If you have already responded however, your screwed...
2006-09-06 16:57:40 · answer #5 · answered by boogatt66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you admit that you were in a hurry and "probably did not stop" Then you say "you've been driving very carefully" It's one or the other and it sounds like you're not a very good driver. Pay it...California needs your money more than you do.
2006-09-06 16:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by jim 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prove the sign that says no turn on red is not there. That is your best bet
2006-09-06 16:51:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say fight it and go with option 2, take a pic of the street as proof. They will have to dismiss it.!
2006-09-06 16:58:56 · answer #8 · answered by Jorge 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can claim there wasn't any sign prohibiting right turn on red...
It is always legal to turn right unless a sign prohibits it...
2006-09-06 16:51:08 · answer #9 · answered by Redeemed 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
consult a lawyer about ur best option. i'd say use #2 but they could always come back w/ ignorance is no excuse.
2006-09-06 16:51:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋