Red Light tickets FTL

[Corporate Thug]

Just got my ticket in the mail...$564 (which includes a $39 fee to process 1 slip of paper to show that I went to traffic school and $10 fee to make an online payment).

Although I think these cameras are ridiculous and cause more problems that they solve, I don't think the public outcry leading to LA's dismantling of the program would have been nearly as bad if the tickets weren't so unreasonablly expensive...

/End Rant

 

[AstroManLuca]

Wah. Don't run red lights.

 

[Ns1]

Aren't red light tickets in la unenforceable?

 

[KeithTalent]

Wah. Don't run red lights.

This, but that is a whackfuck of money. Yowzer.

KT

 

[rivan]

Ouch.

Makes me feel better about my $146 ticket. Barely better... but better.

 

[AstroManLuca]

This, but that is a whackfuck of money. Yowzer.

KT

True. As much as I have disdain for people who run red lights, that is a hell of a ticket, holy shit.

 

[Chiropteran]

If it's like other jurisdictions, the private company that built the cameras is probably taking a massive cut of the ticket.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Aren't red light tickets in la unenforceable?

Those issued by the county are...they are no longer being issued at all but the MTA still have a program which they will vote to dismantle in May.

 

[Red Storm]

Seeing this thread reminded me to pay a $40 speed cam ticket. Thanks OP!

 

[waggy]

I hate tickets by camera. they should not be allowed. When you have a private company in charge of it nothing good can happen.

 

[Mixolydian]

They've had these around here for years, but I've never been ticketed by one. Of course, I always stop at the line on a red light.

 

[Regs]

Better than an accident.

 

[Corporate Thug]

True. As much as I have disdain for people who run red lights, that is a hell of a ticket, holy shit.

Well sir, people usually don't run red for the sake of running reds and I'm certainly not asking for a reward for doing so. However, the fact of the matter is that in LA, the red light program was dismantled because it was costing the County money to keep it around. The reason why it was operating in a deficient was because LEO was spending so much time trying to track down dilinquent tickets...the reason that the tickets were dilienquent was because it cost too much for a violation.

I'm not an advocate of the camera program as there are studies that show that the cameras caused more accidents than they prevented. Regardless, I'm inclined to belive that the program would have remained operational IF the citation was reasonable.

 

[AustinInDallas]

they are only like 75 in texas. and its civil, not criminal, so no one pays them

 

[Corporate Thug]

Wah. Don't run red lights.

pretty typical ATOT response I suppose. Obviously, the point of the thread was not to advocate moving vehicle violations but rather the disproportionate violation fee.

 

[edro]

Most red light citations are from being in the intersection just after the light turns yellow, or from rolling right hand turns.
Both of these are just as safe as speeding.

$500+ is a ridiculous amount for traffic tax.
Reckless operation is probably less than that.

A few months ago, I was driving my beater truck that doesn't have a front license plate.
I ran a yellow light that turned red while I was in the intersection.
*FLASH*
The camera was in front of me though.
I was pissed, then it dawned on me that I don't have a front plate.
LOL! eat it!
I'm not putting that plate on until I get a ticket for it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

they are only like 75 in texas. and its civil, not criminal, so no one pays them

1. I don't know about Texas law, but in CA violations are "quasi-criminal."

2. Civil v. Criminal has nothing to do with a delinquent ticket showing up on a back ground check or a suspended license for failure to pay a ticket or addtional citations for failure to appear at trial.

 

[JamesV]

I'm sure it's illegal, but I always see ads for a license plate cover in Popular Mechanics that claims to stop those cameras from getting a clear picture of your license plate.

When I was a stupid young college kid, I got nailed for doing 114 in a 55 (new car, wanted to open it up, around 3AM with no cars on the highway - yea, I know it was dumb). That only cost $500 total (ticket, court costs, etc).

$564 for running a red light is ridiculous.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Most red light citations are from being in the intersection just after the light turns yellow, or from rolling right hand turns.
Both of these are just as safe as speeding.

$500+ is a ridiculous amount for traffic tax.
Reckless operation is probably less than that.

A few months ago, I was driving my beater truck that doesn't have a front license plate.
I ran a yellow light that turned red while I was in the intersection.
*FLASH*
The camera was in front of me though.
I was pissed, then it dawned on me that I don't have a front plate.
LOL! eat it!
I'm not putting that plate on until I get a ticket for it.

Yeah, I agree...a $50 fix it ticket for not having a front plate is much easier to digest.

 

[Corporate Thug]

I'm sure it's illegal, but I always see ads for a license plate cover in Popular Mechanics that claims to stop those cameras from getting a clear picture of your license plate.

When I was a stupid young college kid, I got nailed for doing 114 in a 55 (new car, wanted to open it up, around 3AM with no cars on the highway - yea, I know it was dumb). That only cost $500 total (ticket, court costs, etc).

$564 for running a red light is ridiculous.

Fortunately, these cameras are becoming extinct quite rapidly.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I guess it really depends on how it's set up. I think most are set up so they only take pictures after the light turns red, so you'd have to enter on red to get a ticket. That seems reasonable, whereas entering on yellow should be allowed (or at least not subject to automated ticketing).

Biggest problem is when they start shortening the length of the yellow light in order to increase the number of tickets. I know this has happened in at least some places. That seems dangerous and wrong.

I've also heard of some cameras activating if you stop even a little past the line. You should always try to stop short of the line, but if you mess up and are a couple inches over that should not result in a ticket. Furthermore, if red light cameras become widespread, that means more people will be slamming their brakes and might wind up across the line despite trying to do the right thing. Especially if they're also shortening their yellow lights at the same time.

For a typical red light runner, though... I have no sympathy. I see way too many people run them blatantly, even entering the intersection after the light has turned green for cross traffic. It's worse for left turns; if it's really busy there will usually be one guy stuck in the intersection after the light turns red who has to go through late, but oftentimes there will be two or three people following and blatantly running the light and creating a dangerous situation. Fuck those people.

 

[Corporate Thug]

I guess it really depends on how it's set up. I think most are set up so they only take pictures after the light turns red, so you'd have to enter on red to get a ticket. That seems reasonable, whereas entering on yellow should be allowed (or at least not subject to automated ticketing).

Biggest problem is when they start shortening the length of the yellow light in order to increase the number of tickets. I know this has happened in at least some places. That seems dangerous and wrong.

I've also heard of some cameras activating if you stop even a little past the line. You should always try to stop short of the line, but if you mess up and are a couple inches over that should not result in a ticket. Furthermore, if red light cameras become widespread, that means more people will be slamming their brakes and might wind up across the line despite trying to do the right thing. Especially if they're also shortening their yellow lights at the same time.

For a typical red light runner, though... I have no sympathy. I see way too many people run them blatantly, even entering the intersection after the light has turned green for cross traffic. It's worse for left turns; if it's really busy there will usually be one guy stuck in the intersection after the light turns red who has to go through late, but oftentimes there will be two or three people following and blatantly running the light and creating a dangerous situation. Fuck those people.

this particular interesection is "cut off" by a busline going through it so its really hard to tell where you are supposed to stop...I sure as hell know now.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Well sir, people usually don't run red for the sake of running reds and I'm certainly not asking for a reward for doing so. However, the fact of the matter is that in LA, the red light program was dismantled because it was costing the County money to keep it around. The reason why it was operating in a deficient was because LEO was spending so much time trying to track down dilinquent tickets...the reason that the tickets were dilienquent was because it cost too much for a violation.

I'm not an advocate of the camera program as there are studies that show that the cameras caused more accidents than they prevented. Regardless, I'm inclined to belive that the program would have remained operational IF the citation was reasonable.

That is a good point. Lower the fee, more people will pay. California seems enamored with creating unintended consequences. Like how they banned free happy meal toys so McDonald's just started charging 10 cents for them instead. Lot of good that did.

What I heard regarding cameras is that they may increase the number of accidents, but they reduce the number of serious accidents. Rear-end collisions usually don't result in injuries or deaths, but side impacts often do, and there are still tons of cars on the road without side airbags.

this particular interesection is "cut off" by a busline going through it so its really hard to tell where you are supposed to stop...I sure as hell know now.

Wait, did you get a red light ticket despite being stopped, just because you were over the line? Or was it just a case of the intersection being farther away than it appeared at first?

 

[jaedaliu]

1. I don't know about Texas law, but in CA violations are "quasi-criminal."

2. Civil v. Criminal has nothing to do with a delinquent ticket showing up on a back ground check or a suspended license for failure to pay a ticket or addtional citations for failure to appear at trial.

I think he's saying Texas red light tickets are civil fines that have nothing to do with your driving record.

I heard that Maryland's speeding cameras are the same. the worst they can do there is keep you from registering your car. So out of staters don't care about them at all.

 

[AustinInDallas]

I think he's saying Texas red light tickets are civil fines that have nothing to do with your driving record.

I heard that Maryland's speeding cameras are the same. the worst they can do there is keep you from registering your car. So out of staters don't care about them at all.

Exactly. Actually in Texas is only a city civil fine, so State car registration isnt even affected. The only think i have heard can be affected(pure hearsay) is that if you have city utilities such as water, they can shut off your water if not paid