I think I got a ticket

[sho'nuff]

I was driving to work today, and usually I am good at stopping early for a red light (I do not foolishly speed up to beat a red), but today for some reason at a major intersection near my home, my mind was elsewhere, and I entered the interesection just as it turned red, running the red.

The camera took a couple of flash photos of my car as I drove by.


Oh well, anyone have any experience with this? Does the ticket come to you in the mail and how much is a cost to run a red in california?

This really put a damper on my day today.

 

[Get Smart]

ouch. Sorry to hear that Brian, there's a few of those in my hood as well and I'm always anxious when I get near the intersection and the green light is blinking red.

Yes you'll get the ticket in the mail. I don't know exactly how much they charge but sometimes I've seen signs posted saying "$___ for Violations" on the lightpost. IIRC, it's always higher than normal, like in the higher $200s

again, sorry that happened. It's a day ruiner for sure.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

If you get a picture of your car in the mail, send the government a picture of your money.

 

[flylot74]

My condolences. there is an old story about a guy who got a ticket along with a picture of him running a light. He sends in a picture of a check for the fine. The officials return a picture of hand cuffs...... he mails in the fine......

These cameras are a tough call. Granted, in my city, a red light is considered a suggestion. It's gotten way out of hand. When the cameras were installed several things happened: traffic accidents were reduced, red light running (at least at those intersections were reduced) and the city got $3400 in fines THE FIRST DAY!!

It is a major revenue stream for the city coffers for sure making it a "traffic tax" in a way. It also seems too Orwellian......

 

[xchen]

I live in the suburbs of Atlanta and they have started putting them in right around here. The ticket costs like $75 here, though. Also, here they send the ticket in the mail and one of the pictures is even a pretty detailed shot of the driver's face (so you can't contest the ticket. I get anxious as well, Jason, but I haven't ever gotten a ticket. Damn near got one today doing 20 over but thankfully the cop pulled the car in front of me over, haha.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by xchen

I live in the suburbs of Atlanta and they have started putting them in right around here. The ticket costs like $75 here, though. Also, here they send the ticket in the mail and one of the pictures is even a pretty detailed shot of the driver's face (so you can't contest the ticket. I get anxious as well, Jason, but I haven't ever gotten a ticket. Damn near got one today doing 20 over but thankfully the cop pulled the car in front of me over, haha.

I've heard stories, and possibly only stories, of people successfully contesting these tickets based on the argument that they weren't driving, they'd loaned out their car. If they have a shot of the driver's face, that makes it much more difficult..."but really, it must have been my twin brother".

 

[Get Smart]

There is a story (true or urban myth) of a guy who was driving with a female associate, went thru and got photo ticketed, but his companion happened to be reaching down for something at her feet and when his wife opened the ticket, she saw a photo of what looks like a woman giving him roadhead, divorced him for all he's worth, so he ended up sueing the city for millions. True story? Probably not, but one that's made the rounds

Not all photo'd perps get a ticket, as there is someone that does review the situation to make sure you are clearly going thru the red and not caught at the tail end of the yellow in which case you could contest and win. I think these days if they actually send you the ticket, there is zero chance of contesting it.

 

[dhc905]

I sometimes wonder why Europeans are so fanatical about not letting the government keep automatic tabs on traffic violations, and then something like this happens and I start understanding - the automatic ticket givers are really annoying.

I think there's whole movement in Britain where people burn camera's that clock people's speeds (and a website to document the charred remains & best practices).

 

[xchen]

Originally Posted by thinman

I've heard stories, and possibly only stories, of people successfully contesting these tickets based on the argument that they weren't driving, they'd loaned out their car. If they have a shot of the driver's face, that makes it much more difficult..."but really, it must have been my twin brother".

A girl I used to work with let her boyfriend take her car and that's exactly what happened. A few days later they got the ticket in the mail, then were arguing about it in the car just as he was running another light. Haha, oh well.

-$150.00

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser

If you get a picture of your car in the mail, send the government a picture of your money.

HA! that is a good idea.

 

[sho'nuff]

can you believe this as well?

i just got let go at my work.


truth.

 

[Get Smart]

what?!

you just got laid off??? oh man....

 

[Ludeykrus]

Oh man, I hate to hear that........I'm guessing it came out of nowhere?

 

[sho'nuff]

this will be my last post here for awhile, this is the only computer i have and will be returning this.

i will speak to everyone in a short while. thanks.

 

[flylot74]

Sorry to hear your misfortune. Keep a positive attitude, it will turn out for the better.