How to Defeat Your

Red Light Camera TicketProfessional Tips from CarGalaxies.com

Introduction

Red light cameras gradually became the part of our urban landscape. They

spread over the Cities and Counties and in some cases could cover the entire

State. And more cameras on the field naturally bring more tickets in the mail.

Never pay tickets without a fight – fight them in the court. Knowing how red

light cameras work and what are the best strategies for beating the red light

camera tickets in court arguably are the part of literacy of any modern

motorist nowadays. This presentation would give you the basic knowledge of

red light cameras modus operandi and walk you through effective defense

strategies to beat a ticket if you unfortunately got one.

Red Light Cameras Revealed

How Red Light Cameras Work

Sensor, camera and photo flash-light get installed in the intersection and are

synchronized with traffic light equipment. A ticket gets issued when a car

enters the intersection after the traffic light turns red. The definition for

word “after” depends on your state/city jurisdiction and in many places it is a

one third of a second. With that said, entering the intersection at the same

moment of time when the light turns red should NOT result in red light

citation. The same is even more true for the yellow (amber) light case – by

law you have to have no issues with crossing the intersection entry bar on

yellow light or being in the middle of intersection when the light is yellow.

Red Light Cameras Revealed (continued)

How Red Light Violations Get Captured

Two photo shots get done*) – one when the car crosses the painted intersectionentry bar during the red light phase and a second one – when the car is on themiddle of intersection. The moment for second photo shot gets defined by a shortdelay time set up in red light camera equipment (usually 0.5 – 1.2 seconds) whichusually depends on the speed limit posted for this location. The second photoproves that car didn’t entered the intersection by accident and then came to thefull stop but continued running on red during the red light phase. Date, time,location, violation number, time interval between two photos and car speed mustbe clearly shown on the second photo. Both photos must also show that theintersection light was clearly red at the time of violation.

*) some red light camera devices make three photo shorts with third short being a photo of licenseplate, others even record a whole video move thru the intersection, but vast majority of red lightcameras are two shot based.

Red Light Cameras Revealed (continued)

Do You Need to Identify a Driver?

The short answer is – “No, you don’t”. The tickets are issued against the cars

violating the red light law not against the drivers. This is the reason why all

red light citations carry only the financial penalties but not the driver’s

demerit points.

Red Light Cameras Revealed (continued)

Why Red Light Cameras?

The original idea behind the right light cameras was to enforce the traffic law

and safety on the roads. However everybody knows the real reason behind

that – municipalities need more money and red light camera tickets are the

easy way to generate some cash stream. Numerous researches conducted by

impartial 3rd party organizations show that contrary to original expectations

installing red light cameras didn’t result in overall traffic safety increase.

For example, researchers discovered, that some decrease in injuries caused

by right-angle-accidents gets well compensated by noticeably increased

percentage of injuries from rear-hit collisions caused by cars suddenly

stopped on red light trying to avoid possible red light citation.

Defense Strategies

So, it happened - you have got a ticket in mail and you want to know what to

do next. Below are the main strategies you could use to make your red light

camera ticket dismissed.

Defense Strategies (continued)

The Ticket Which Was Sent to You is a Snitch

There are numerous cases in some jurisdictions when local police sends

phishing (snitch) tickets to registered car owners expecting them to pay

blindly. According to internet resources "data from Oakland shows that in 2009

Snitch Tickets were 42% of what they sent out". So if you got a one – don’t pay

blindly and make sure that is not a scam. Check your “citation” – if it doesn’t

contain the name of the court, its address, phone number and open hours it is

likely a fake. If your “citation” contains request to pay a fine directly to

sender when saying “don’t contact the court” – it is for sure the fake.

If your “citation” contains the phrase: “Courtesy Notice: It is Not a Ticket” –

ignore it, it is a scam.

Defense Strategies (continued)

The Ticket Was Sent To the Wrong Address/Person

Some tickets are sent by mistake – they were meant for other person but

were mailed to you. Check the addressee’s name, address and other details in

the ticket to make sure that it is not a mistake. Check also if you have been

crossing that intersection on that day and time or if you are not the only

driver of your car in your household – ask family members if it could be them.

Defense Strategies (continued)

It Wasn't Me

Some local traffic authorities might exercise excessive pressure trying to

force you to reveal an identity of person who was driving your car during a

red light violation. You don’t have to answer – it is not required by law. If they

insist too much making you uncomfortable or they try to intimidate you in any

form - tell them that you want to exercise your constitutional right to remain

silent. Never forget – you are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

It is a responsibility of court after all to prove their allegations.

Defense Strategies (continued)

My Vehicle Was Stolen

If you vehicle was stolen by someone, even for only two-three hours of fan

drive – you are not liable. If you can prove it in court – your ticket will be

dismissed.

Defense Strategies (continued)

My License Plate Was Stolen

If you vehicle’s plate was lost or stolen and someone used it during the red

light violation – you are not liable. Applying this defense strategy would

require examination of citation photos to make sure that the car on the photo

isn’t yours.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Intersection Doesn’t Have “Photo Enforced” Warning Sign

Most jurisdictions require posting special “Photo Enforced” warning signs 300

feet before the intersections equipped by red light cameras. If that sign was

missing in your particular case - your ticket might be dismissed: the final

decision remains on the discretion of judge.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Red Light Camera Periodic Certification Requirement

The red light camera equipment is a subject of strict regulations (similar to

radars) and must be periodically tested and calibrated to comply the

municipal law. Many red light cameras fail to meet this requirement. Request

the last calibration report. If the calibration was overdue – your ticket is

safely dismissed.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Yellow Light Timing Is Too Short

There are well documented requirements for minimum duration of yellow

(amber) light between green and red phases in the intersection. Too short

duration of yellow light understandably leads to premature start of red light

phase and as a result – to unfair citation of cars caught off guard in the

middle of intersection.

“Who is interested in shortening the yellow light phase after all?” you might

ask. Companies that sell and install red light camera equipment often get

solid share of generated red light ticket revenue (in some jurisdictions up to

50%) and is the most interested party in these violations. Request the test of

yellow light duration; if it was altered – your ticket is dismissed.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Road and Weather Conditions

Severe weather and road condition could be an acceptable excuse for running

on red light. The ice, snow or excessive amounts of rain on the road could

make compliance to red light traffic law more dangerous than excusable

conditional violation. The same applies to the tailgating scenarios when you

are forced to keep driving on red light because car behind you is dangerously

close, is speeding or tailgating creating a hazard to cars and pedestrians

around. In these cases running on red light understandably promotes public

safety rather than violates it.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Citation Doesn’t Have Supporting Photos at All

In the name of privacy some courts or private contractors send out the red

light camera ticket without the actual photo. Make sure that they have all

photos required by law - go to the courthouse or municipal building and

request your red light camera photos. If they cannot present them – your

ticket is dismissed.

Defense Strategies (continued)

Photos In Citation Do Exist But Are Not Admissible To Court

Possible reasons:

One of two mandatory photos is missing

2nd photo exists but does not show your vehicle on the middle of intersection

The lighting conditions are very poor and the photo is illegible

License plate is missing on photo or is unreadable

Traffic signal malfunction (traffic signal was broken when red light camera flashed)

Red light sensor malfunction (it was a yellow light not red when first photo was taken)

White stop bar was not painted on the road or was not clearly visible

Out of State plates (with the exception of States which have mutual traffic citation

agreement)

Defense Strategies (continued)

If Nothing Above Worked Out

You may dismiss you red light ticket by attending a traffic school if you are

eligible. The eligibility requirements vary from State to State. In California,

for example, you can do it only once in every 18 months; in Florida – only

once in 2 years.

Check your State law for eligibility period.

Conclusion

Never underestimate the importance and the role of a professional legal

support in your traffic ticket defense. Note, the above discussed tips are

meant first and foremost for informational purposes. They are not designed

and cannot replace professional help of an experienced traffic attorney.

To find all traffic lawyers in your location go, for example, to

http://www.cargalaxies.com/TrafficTickets_Find_Local_Traffic_Lawyer.aspx

For more tips on ticket defense feel free to visit

http://www.cargalaxies.com/TrafficTickets_Tips.aspx

Many tickets can be dismissed with proper help. So, help yourself and defeat

the ticket! Never forget – you are not guilty until proven guilty in the court of

law!

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