Nissan 370Z Forum - Red Light camera question

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Red Light camera question

So earlier tonight I was headed over to Wal-Mart when something odd happened. As I was pulling up to a stop light I noticed the flash of a red light camera going off. I looked around to see who was running the light and I was the only car around. I came to a stop well behind the line and noticed that the camera was a ways back from the intersection. There was only the one set of lines that I stopped at. Now to be clear, if I do receive a ticket from this I fully intend to fight it. I had a friend riding with me who can witness what happened, but how many think I will actually get a ticket from this and what are my chances of getting it thrown out if I do?

In california, the camera ticket is no longer valid. Camera ticket got banned in CA, dont know about texas but you should check if it applies to you too.

So doing some research on this and I'm cautiously optimistic about not receiving a ticket. Here is what i have found about the way el paso is enforcing it:

Quote:

1. How do the red light cameras work?
Each intersection equipped with Automated Red Light Camera equipment will have a series of digital cameras installed near the roadway. These cameras will consist of two digital still cameras and a digital video camera. Utilizing a passive sensor, the system will detect when the signal light changes to red. The detection system will trigger when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light changes to red. The first digital still camera will capture two images, scene A and scene B. Scene A will show the vehicle prior to entering the intersection while the light is red, while scene B will show the vehicle in the intersection while the light is red. The photographs will display the time, date, and location of the offense as well as the amount of time the light was red when the image was captured. Also the speed limit of the roadway and the speed of the vehicle at the time of the violation will appear on the photograph. The second digital camera will capture a close-up image of the rear license plate of the vehicle. And finally, the digital video will capture 12 seconds of video, depicting the 6 seconds prior to and the 6 second following the violation. The 3 digital still images will be included when a Notice of Violation is issued. Also, a link to a web page will be noted on the Notice of Violation to allow viewing of the 12 second video.

2. Who is providing the red light cameras to the City of El Paso?
Redflex Traffic Solutions, Inc. was awarded the contract to provide a turn-key solution for the Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement program. Redflex will install, maintain, and service all equipment associated with this program. Furthermore, Redflex will process and review all violations captured by the equipment. Redflex will then provide the El Paso Police Department all evidence of the violation. An El Paso Police Officer will review all evidence and ensure a violation has clearly been committed. Once verified by a sworn peace officer Redflex will be authorized to create and mail all Notices of Violation.

I believe that once they review the pictures and video it will be seen that i did in fact stop at the intersection as you are supposed to, and they will just toss it out.

Yeah, when I used to live in NY that stupid flash would go off all the time but it doesn't mean anything. Just a distraction so your like... what the... and then go over the line and then BAM... 300 dollar ticket and 3 points.

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Originally Posted by Skeeterbop (Post 1382859)

You cannot fight them. Period. Many of those tickets are based out of another state, even, from what I understand. You may get something in the mail from NY. (My cousin did, which is what I base this on).

However, if you do not pay it (where I live), the maximum find only increases to like $125, and no warrant is issued, nor does it count on your license.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeterbop (Post 1382859)

You are 100% fine. I do this sometimes to mess with the camera and make it go off. As you come to the red light and come to a sudden stop and the camera is "tricked" into thinking you are about to run the red light. It takes the first "Flash Shot" but not the second. If you did go through and/or didn't stop before making a right turn, it takes a second "flash shot". That is when you get the ticket in the mail. :tup:

Your In Texas, half the people don't bother paying it as it is some Arizona or new Mexico company who owns and runs the system or atleast that is how it works in houston. From my understandings the ticket doesn't go on your record so I wouldn't worry about it even if you get sent a ticket. I personally wouldn't pay it , ticket would go right into the trash

i thought i heard that if you go to court, that 'evidence' is heresay evidence anyhow - so not admissable. ?? (not a lawyer)

Not sure, I'm going to wait and see what happens. At this point though i don't expect to see a ticket.

if you do get a ticket they should have video of you running the light. They will also have a URL for you to see the video online at home. If you didn't run the light, you have nothing to worry about. Often times even if you did run it, and it was a real close call, you might not even get a ticket. I had a few of those, and never got one. Don't worry about it.

Are you sure about that? Maybe they are in your city but in Sacramento they have the cameras at numerous locations. I don't think they are gone in the whole state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaedub (Post 1382866)

In california, the camera ticket is no longer valid. Camera ticket got banned in CA, dont know about texas but you should check if it applies to you too.

I've done it in the rain before. Stopped like a foot and a half after the line. lol Never got a ticket. I think they review the circumstances before sending tickets out.

I've had friends stop on the line and never got tickets. You should be good. No worries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyD (Post 1383036)

i thought i heard that if you go to court, that 'evidence' is heresay evidence anyhow - so not admissable. ?? (not a lawyer)

It is admissible in court. It does not necessarily constitute sufficient proof though.

Hear say would be "my friend told me she saw him run the light"

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 1383007)

this is wrong, or at least not universally true. I have fought and won many times.

info i got from someone who installs the red light cameras:

-most red light cameras will go off automatically at the change of the light, whether someone is going thru them or not.
-even if you are caught going thru, there is a system that looks at them to see if you should get one
-if processed thru the machine, a person will actually sit and look at the video (assuming there is on, most do now) and determine it
-you can fight ticket, but is usually not worth it

reasons to not fight it (pending on state) its usually a cheap $50 ticket. it does NOT go against your license, because they can no prove that you were the driver.

-those cheap plastic covers that go over the license plate, will actually work

i questioned this to the local police where the same happened to me a few yrs back. i stopped but the thing flashed behind me anyway while i was making a right turn at a red light. the cop emailed back that they not only take a pict, they also take a few picts and measure speed of the suspect car so as long as i stopped i would not be ticketed.

i never got the ticket. :p