Photo Enforced

Victorville California Driver Files Law Suit

2012-02-27T14:32:00.001-08:00

Victorville still has 10 red light cameras and this upsets driver Mike Curran who claims they are illegal. He says his ticket came from Redflex in Arizona, not from law enforcement. NBC4's Inland Empire Reporter Craig Feigener explains what's at stake here.

The infraction carried a $490 fine and when Curran inspected the ticket he found that it was issued by an out-of-state company Redflex with no imput from Victorville police officers. Curran launched a class action lawsuit on the grounds that Victorville cannot hire a private company to do police work. The cameras' owner, the Redflex Group, is headquartered in Phoenix. The company spent more than $146,000 installing the Victorville cameras and it made its money by issuing the tickets.

Columbus Ohio Cameras Hit $1M in Revenue

2012-02-27T11:23:00.002-08:00

Columbus’ revenue from red-light cameras topped $1 million for the first time last year, and it was wasn’t only expanded monitoring that fueled the increase. More people also ran lights at intersections where cameras have been in place for four years or longer, suggesting that drivers are letting down their guard in places where automated enforcement is long-established.

In Columbus, the 12 cameras installed last year caught 9,700 red-light runners. But tickets also increased by almost 2,000 overall — or 11 percent — at intersections monitored by cameras since 2006 or 2007. It’s the first yearly increase since the entire set of cameras have been in place.

The city collected nearly $1.1 million last year from its share of red-light runners’ $95 tickets at all 30 intersections. That’s a 77 percent increase in revenue from 2010, attributable to both the extra cameras and the city’s receipt of a larger share of each ticket under its new contract with camera-maker Redflex Traffic Systems.

Belmar New Jersey Considering Red Light Cameras

2012-02-24T15:32:00.000-08:00

The Belmar city counsel is considering whether or not to apply to have red-light cameras installed at various spots along Route 35. Last week at their work session meeting, a representative from a red-light camera company presented the council and mayor his findings of a test-run already conducted in the borough, as well as the benefits of such a system and how it would work. Fines would be $85.

Belmar Police Chief Thomas Palmisano, who spoke openly regarding his support for the cameras as not only a means for catching violators but also as a tool for documenting traffic accidents, said a test camera at Route 35 and 10th Avenue witnessed 84 violations in a 10-hour period. See Belmar Patch story.

Iowa City Red Light Cameras Coming

2012-02-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

The Iowa City City Council passed an ordinance allowing development of red-light cameras throughout town on its final consideration. Mayor Matt Hayek and Councilors Rick Dobyns, Terry Dickens, and Susan Mims voted in favor of the ordinance. Councilor Connie Champion maintained her position on the red-light cameras, voting "no" on all three considerations.

ATS vs Collier County Florida

2012-02-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

Collier County stopped paying ATS the $50,000 monthly fee for using the cameras based on a new law that passed in Florida making the cameras illegal. NBC2 obtained a copy of an agreement which will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in which the County would pay $522,000 to get out of its current contract with American Traffic Solutions. Collier County has 19 approaches that use red light cameras.

Follow Us on Google+

2012-01-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

PhotoEnforced.com has just started using Google+ in an attempt to engage further with readers and red light camera database contributors. Please feel free to post links and articles that might be helpful to our database or for changing laws. You can find PhotoEnforced.com Google+ here and don't forget to add us to your circles. I also encourage you to follow Jeff Cohn Google+ as well. PhotoEnforced.com Twitter and PhotoEnforced.com Facebook should also be followed if you use them for actively as well.

I am pretty impressed with what I’ve seen so far in the launch. Its faster and less cluttered than FaceBook. One of the key points for me though is that it is very intuitive and more flexible for filtering views. I think Google+ will eventually become the platform for business networking and Facebook will become the standard for friends and family networking.

Google+ is not a Facebook killer but simply a supplement. If you are a heavy Google users for search, email and advertising like we are then enjoy it for the future.

Cobra Joyride Smart Car Charger for iRadar

2012-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

The Cobra JoyRide not an ordinary car charger but and uses the Android Open Accessory framework to automatically trigger the launch of a companion app on an Android phone when connected via its micro USB port. This is no doubt a way for Chicago based Cobra Electronics (NASDAQ: COBR) to promote the download of its free iRadar red light camera app in the Android Marketplace.

I asked the question of how many red light camera locations the company had and the company would not tell me.

What is NAVTEQ Worth To Nokia?

2011-12-02T15:44:00.001-08:00

Nokia purchased NAVTEQ / Nokia (NYSE: NOK) for $8.1 billion dollars in 2007 when Nokia's stock was trading upwards of $30+ dollars per share. Now Nokia's stock is trading at less than $6 per share and sinking. Nokia's market cap is approximately $20B with annual sales of $55B. When Nokia purchased Navteq it had a market capitalization of $120B. So this begs the question of how much is NAVTEQ worth to Nokia these days? It appears that NAVTEQ will do €600 million in revenue ($1B in US dollars) in 2011 while still losing money.

With Nokia struggling to get traction in the smartphone space it makes sense that NAVTEQ could be a ripe buyout candidate from a company like Microsoft or Apple who desperately need a map platform. NAVTEQ products embedded in just about every car that has a navigation system embedded in the car. Overprice I must say but the car manufacturers are selling the software for thousands of dollars when Google Maps is free. Google Maps on the other hand is free but ad support and works great for most smartphone users. Google Maps is not as reliable as NAVTEQ for navigation but it gets the job done at a fraction of the cost.

Red Light Cameras Catch Cheating Spouses & Pot Smoking Kids

2011-10-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

This cheating couple was caught while driving through a red light camera which took their guilty picture. Look close at what her other hand is doing. Can you imagine how this played out when the ticket arrived in the mailbox? I bet she had some explaining to do if her husband opened up the ticket. Here is another example of how the cameras can catch people doing illegal activity in the car.

Senator Larcenia Bullard recently shared a story of one of her constituents’ sons who was caught by a red light camera while driving some of his pot-smoking friends. Police used the tape showing his back-seat friends getting high and charged the teenager with a drug offense instead of a traffic infraction, said Bullard, whose district includes part of Palm Beach County. Invasive or fair? How did they know it was pot?

Senator Bullard said the red light cameras cameras should take photos limited in size to the trunk of the car and not include the window of the vehicle. That way officers – and others – can’t peek at what’s going on inside, she said. Ridiculous claim in my opinion. It would be interested to see what those who study criminal justice or have a degree in criminal justice think about this.

Senator Bullard he went on to say that, "A man is sitting in the back seat of a car with a woman who he’s not married to and his wife,” Bullard, D-Miami, said, drawing snickers from her Senate Transportation committee colleagues. “But it’s very true. This is real. This stuff happens. I see where this camera is really working but we need to get beyond taking pictures of that back window where you can see someone cheating on his wife or someone smoking marijuana.”

The cameras are not installed for these purposes, however, they do have some unintended policing benefits. Karma is a bitch and bad people will always get caught for doing bad things.

Do All Red Light Camera Intersections Have Warning Signs?

2011-06-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

Every Camera Enforced Intersection DOES NOT Have Warning Signs

The California Vehicle Code only requires that warning signs be posted to notify drivers of camera enforced intersections and that these signs be posted either at all approaches to the intersection or at all main entrances into a city including (freeways, bridges, and state highway routes).

Have you ever wondered why there are photo enforced warning signs for red light cameras at some intersections but not all them? The vehicle code VC§ 21455.5 says (a) (1), “Warning signs must be posted at each camera-equipped intersection and visible to traffic approaching from all directions, or at all the main entrances to town including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges, and state highway routes." The purpose of this law is to make sure that drivers are warned in all instances where there is red light camera enforcement.

Many times you will see warning signs posted right next to the traffic signal light, however not always. Sometimes warning signs might even be posted at the previous, non- camera enforced intersection which can be misleading or cause confusion. So while a City may not be in violation of the Vehicle Code requirements if they don’t have warning signs placed at the intersection (since they have a choice in the placement), if any signs you do find are blocked or damaged in a such a way you can’t see them, then you may have something that can help you in getting your ticket dismissed because warning signs do have to be reasonably visible. Be sure to take pictures of the signs to show they are not visible and take them to court with you or include them with your Trial by Written Declaration if you choose to fight your ticket in writing using form TR-205 (available at your local courthouse).

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

Longer Yellow Lights vs Red Light Cameras

2011-06-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Red light cameras in Arnold, Missouri just took a hit that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year at one light alone. Fox 2 first reported Wednesday about a new MoDOT program to re-time of its Missouri lights.

MoDO is re-timing traffic lights everywhere, to give drivers more time to stop. The results so far, are incredible at the intersection of 141 and Astra Way. We compared a month of red light running before the new signal timing to a month after the change in the yellow light.

Last May, the City of Arnold cited 709 people for running a red light on camera at the 141 light. This May? Arnold cited only 17 drivers at the same light.

Now, consider the money side of this. Last May's citations add up to $67,000 in one month. This past May, citations, if paid, would only bring in $1,600.

That's a potential loss of more than 3/4 of a million dollars every year.

That loss is split between three parties who divide the money from each $95 violation ticket. More than half of that pie (57%) would go to the city, 10% percent to the State of Missouri and 1/3rd (33%) to the private red light camera contractor American Traffic Solutions (ATS).

Arnold Mayor Ron Counts said their share of the money goes into the general fund, which pays for things like streets. But he says this newly discovered potential loss -- is a price worth paying.

Mayor Counts said, "The truth is, it's not about money, it can't be. We've got to deal with the safety issue and to me when you can drop this down to 20 people running stop lights, I think that's what we really need to be looking at. We'll adjust the budget. We have to." He added, "It's going to affect your budget no matter how you look at it

He said Arnold's been discussing putting red light revenue strictly into safety measures anyway. He can't think of anything better than stopping red light runners.

Counts said, "What's a persons life worth? I don't think you can consider that."

The private red light camera contractor, ATS, said in an e-mail statement, "We're pleased the number of violations in Arnold continues to fall. An effective road safety program must always integrate engineering, education and enforcement." However ATS also warns ".. studies have shown that if the amber light is too long, drivers will disregard it and consider it part of the green light cycle."

MoDOT adds -- the drastic drop in red light runners may not last. Engineers warn that driver's could start pushing the new timing cycles. They also say that longer yellows slow down traffic.

Watch Out for this Red Light Camera Ticket Collections Scam

2011-06-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Beware of Fake Phone Calls From The Department of Public Safety

MARSHALL, Texas (KYTX) Full story If you get a call about an overdue red-light ticket, don't fall for it. Scammers are illegally collecting money for tickets that don't exist. They're also stealing credit card and social security numbers by claiming to be with the Department of Public Safety. CBS 19's Monique Bird has details on what you can do to protect your identity and your money.
Red-light cameras are easy to spot at busy Marshall, Texas intersections. The cameras take pictures of red-light runners and the drivers are fined. But scammers are abusing the system. Claiming to be with DPS, scammers call victims demanding payment for overdue red-light tickets.

"People are gullible, unfortunately," says Jeff Gulledge. "It's pretty bad. Really bad. I think that they should be prosecuted heavily. It should be taken seriously."

Gulledge says he's not surprised by the illegal activity. But he hopes he can avoid scams like this by screening his calls carefully.

"That's why I don't answer those phone calls," says Gulledge. "I don't answer it unless I know the person."

So what should you do if you get a call from someone claiming to be with DPS? First, don't give out any personal information, like a credit card number or a social security number. And second, report it.

"Try to capture any information they have - maybe off of their caller id," says Jean Dark, with DPS. "And then, contact law enforcement and provide that information to them."

Trooper dark says DPS never collects traffic fines and won't call about tickets.

"Identity theft is clearly a crime on the rise," says Dark. "Be aware that it's happening. Guard your identity. Make sure that you're not divulging personal information over the phone to someone you don't know in a call that you have not initiated."

Gulledge hopes that advice will keep him from becoming the next victim.

"Knock on wood," laughs Gulledge.

Anyone suspecting fake calls should report them to the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office at 1-800-621-0508.

10 Reasons to Keep Red Light Cameras

2011-06-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles - LOS ANGELES - As the Los Angeles City Council prepares to vote this week on the future of the city's critical traffic safety camera program, the Traffic Safety Coalition is outlining 10 reasons why the program should stay:

ZERO Crash Fatalities: Following safety camera installation, the Los Angeles Police Department crash reports, between 2002 and 2009 since the Photo Red Light Camera program began, NO fatal crashes have occurred at any of the camera enforced intersection approaches.
Safety cameras have worked to make Los Angeles streets safer. There has been a 62 percent decrease in red light related traffic collisions at the 32 intersections where the cameras are installed, with no significant increase in rear end collisions.
Safety cameras change driving behavior citywide. In Los Angeles there was a 22% reduction in crashes citywide after deployment.
Deadly consequences of dangerous driving in California. 3,000 people are killed in the California roadways every year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
Red light running kills. 66 percent of all people killed at intersection crashes are victims of red light runners. The victims are innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2011).
Red light running increased in Houston when cameras went dark. After intersection safety cameras were turned off in Houston, police cited injury crashes were up 350 percent after deactivation and one Houston intersection saw a 1,300% increase in crashes following camera deactivation. (“Exclusive: Accidents way up with red light cameras off.” KTRK ABC 13 Houston, 8-June-2011)
Speeding and red light running increased in Albuquerque when cameras were removed. Red light running and speeding increased by 584 percent after intersection safety cameras were turned off at three Albuquerque intersections just five months ago (“Scary stats with red light cameras off,” KRQE News 7, 5/27/11).
Speeding increased in Scottsdale when cameras were turned off. When speed safety cameras were turned off on Scottsdale's State Loop 101, the number of drivers speeding increased 1,024 percent (Washington et al., "Evaluation of the City of Scottsdale Loop 101 Photo Enforcement Demonstration Program, Arizona State University." Nov 2007).
Safety cameras reduce fatal crashes nationwide. A 2011 report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded traffic safety cameras at the 14 largest U.S. cities using them reduced fatal red light running crashes by 24 percent (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2011).
Simply put, safety cameras reduce red light running and speeding, change driver behavior and save lives.

"It's a sad reality that when drivers are not held accountable for their actions, speeding and red light running increases dramatically as they ignore our traffic safety laws, putting everyone in danger," said Traffic Safety Coalition co-chairs Paul and Sue Oberhauser. “Cities should be taking advantage of red light cameras and every other technology available to ensure these laws are followed and enforced.”

About the Traffic Safety Coalition:
The Traffic Safety Coalition is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization comprised of concerned citizens, traffic safety experts, law enforcement, public officials, victim's advocates, health care professionals, and industry leaders who are committed to working together to make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. We work with our partners throughout the country to promote technology and education that save lives and keep our roads safe. For more information, visit www.trafficsafetycoalition.com.

Do You Still Have to Pay Your LA Red Light Camera Ticket?

2011-06-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Even if Los Angeles Shuts Down Red Light Don’t Forget About the Ticket You Already Have

The Los Angeles City Council has announced plans to stop using cameras to enforce red light violators at numerous intersections throughout the city. While many are rejoicing that the cameras may be shut down by the end of June, don’t forget about the red light camera ticket you currently have!

The program ending would prevent future red light camera tickets from being issued. However, don’t assume that any current red light camera tickets you have from the City of Los Angeles will just automatically vanish. If the current red light camera system ends these tickets will still be prosecuted. To avoid potential problems just be sure to follow up on any outstanding tickets. You can always check the status of your ticket on the court website to see if it is still active or closed. Remember, if the ticket is already filed and active with the court before the city’s red light program ends (assuming it does) then it may not automatically be dropped. If you don’t follow up on the ticket it may go to collections or affect you negatively in other ways if the DMV is notified (LA courts exercise their own discretion and can choose to refer your information to a collections agency OR the DMV OR Both, although it is rumored they usually stick with the first option).

We would like your opinion as well if you think LA LA should shut down the cameras? Was Los Angeles losing money on red light cameras? A few non-profits have raised the question of whether photo enforcement is a legitimate use of city and law enforcement resources considering the recent acknowledgement by the LAPD and LADOT that intersections have been made safer due to signal timing enhancements alone.

Contribute by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

Related Stories:
What If You Don't Pay Your Red Light Camera Ticket

New Traffic School Laws with Multiple Tickets

2011-06-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

How Do Changes to Traffic School Laws Will Affect Those With Multiple Red Light Camera Tickets?

There is a new law effective July 1, 2011 that will affect California Traffic School laws. Say you get multiple red light camera tickets within an 18 month period, well there will no longer be the possibility of taking traffic school more than once. Whereas before repeat violators could still take a Traffic School course if the court allowed it, now the courts will no longer be able to exercise this type of discretion.

The law will no longer allow superior courts to “mask” a conviction as a dismissal after traffic school is taken IF there is already a “masked” conviction on a person’s record within the previous 18 months. So you are still allowed one in 18 months, but there is no chance you can do Traffic School multiple times any more.

Basically the purpose of the law is to prevent the Courts from allowing repeat violators more than one Traffic School dismissal within 18 months, so drivers should be aware of this new law, always remember to drive safely, and take special caution at camera enforced intersections.

Blog contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.

Should LA Shut Down the Red Light Cameras?

2011-06-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners will decide whether or not to approve the LAPD’s request for a new multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for the city’s Photo Red-Light Program.

Some highlights from the LAPD’s request:

·Under the new Photo Red-Light contract, the City of Los Angeles will lose a minimum of $1.5 million per year on the program.

·LAPD has chosen American Traffic Solutions, the vendor for the current system, as the vendor for the new contract even though ATS is based in the State of Arizona and the City Council previously voted to boycott all Arizona based businesses.

Safer Streets L.A., a grassroots organization dedicated towards improving motorist safety, believes there may be enough opposition from Police Commission Board Members to vote down the proposal and kill the Red Light Camera Program.

Safer Streets L.A. also questions the wisdom of the City of Los Angeles continuing to do business with a company that has recently been caught engaging in ethical lapses in their quest to sway public opinion in support of red light cameras. See the following:

Heraldnet
Spokesman
Highway Robbery
Againstallclods

The Board of Police Commissioners meeting will take place at 9:30am at the Police Administration Building 100 West 1st Street. LA, CA. Safer Streets L.A. studies regarding red-light cameras can be viewed and downloaded for free at Saferstreetsla.org/reports

Criminal Justice Debate: Are Red Light Cameras Unconstitutional?

2011-06-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Constitutionality of Red Light Cameras Being Scrutinized Once Again

Since the development of automated traffic enforcement questions have been raised by students of criminal justice and others, and lawsuits have been launched to challenge the constitutionality and fairness of these systems. Give us your feedback below.

Just last month, an attorney in Orlando Florida spoke out it court arguing the red-light camera law is unconstitutional. For a long time running, many have felt the system robs individuals ticketed of the constitutional rights to due process and equal protection under the law. It is rumored that several other attorneys with clients that have received a red light camera ticket will also go to court this June to argue their cases. This could be the beginning of a statewide revolt against red light cameras that could certainly turn nationwide if word gets around to enough disgruntled motorists

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

Have a Ticket With an Unclear Photo of You?

2011-06-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

What should you do when a photo enforced camera ticket has an unclear photo of you?

Those red light cameras tickets you receive in the mail can be tricky to deal with. Many find themselves stuck with a ticket that says they were the driver but doesn’t actually have clear photo of the driver’s face.

If you receive a ticket in the mail that says you were the driver but it doesn’t have a clear picture of your face it can be frustrating because without a clear picture how can you even tell yourself if it was you driving? There is a way you can send in a form saying that someone else was the driver, but with a blurry picture how can you tell who it is.

You could of course go into court and let a judge see for himself that there is no possible way you could be identified as the driver based on the picture on the ticket. You could also explain to a judge that you can’t identify anyone else as the driver because of the poor picture quality. But going into court can be a hassle and scary for some, so it’s much easier to handle situations like this without going into court, with a Trial by Written Declaration. Using a Trial by Written Declaration you can explain the situation and even include a recent photograph of yourself for the judge to use as a comparison to the picture of the driver on the ticket. In situations like this there is a good chance your ticket will be dismissed.

Blog contributed by TicketBust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.
If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

What Does Red Time Mean on Ticket?

2011-05-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

What Does Red Time on a Red Light Camera Ticket Mean?

A red light camera system at any given camera enforced intersection is supposed to be activated and enforcement is supposed to begin, when the traffic light turns red. These systems are not supposed to take a photograph during the time the traffic light is yellow or green. So, if a driver is facing a red light and enters the intersection the camera will activate and take a picture.

The “late time” or “red time” is the length of time the traffic signal was red before the vehicle entered the intersection. There are usually two red times. Once being how long the light was red before the vehicle entered the intersection, and the other being the length of time that elapsed between the time the first picture was taken (when the vehicle first entered the intersection) and the time the second picture was taken where the vehicle was actually traveling through the intersection. It’s a good idea to check the red time on your ticket because courts tend to more lenient on drivers with very short late times (example one tenth of a second or two tenths of a second).

Blog contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

How to Read a Red Light Camera Ticket

2011-05-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Not all red light camera tickets are the same as there are different red light camera companies. Some are easier to read then others. If you have ever received a Red Light Photo Ticket in cities like West Hollywood and San Francisco you may have had difficulty trying to figure out what all those numbers mean at the top of your photograph.

Cities like West Hollywood or San Francisco use the technology of ACS camera systems and on these camera tickets there is a photo of the vehicle’s position when the light first turns red and a picture of the vehicles position when it is going through the intersection. There is a square block at the top center of each photograph. There are numbers and symbols listed on these square data blocks that translate into things like the speed of your vehicle at the time you passed through the intersection, the date of the violation, and the timing of the traffic signals.

If you are looking at the square data block on the first photograph, it is important to know that the first set of numbers is the time of day, the set of numbers to the left of this is the Date/Month/ Year. The next line of numbers reflects how long the light was yellow before the light turned red, and the last set of numbers to the left of this reflect how the long the light was red before the vehicle entered the intersection.

As for the data box on the second photograph, it is important to know that the first row of numbers here is also the time and date. The second and third rows are a little different though. The second row tells you how much time has passed in between Photograph One of the vehicle and Photograph Two, how long the light has been red between Photograph One and Two. On the third and final row, there is the violation counter (if there was only one person that ran a red light ahead of you then the violation counter will read 002), and the last set of numbers reflects the speed of your vehicle. If you plan on fighting your ticket then it definitely helps to understand what all those numbers mean.

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

If Cameras Are Shut Down, Do You Still Have to Pay for Tickets?

2011-05-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

Do Cameras Shutting Down Have Any Affect on Your Current Red Light Photo Ticket?

It is rumored that the red light camera system for the city of San Bernardino (not the County of San Bernardino, just the City) is supposed to be shut down starting in June of this year. What you shouldn’t do is assume that any current red light ticket you have from the City of San Bernardino will just automatically “go away” once the red light camera system ends.

Even though there won’t be any more red light tickets issued in San Bernardino after June, be sure to take care of any outstanding tickets, because any tickets where the date of the violation is before June 1, should still be valid. For example the date of the violation may be May 31, even if you don’t get the courtesy notice till July, it’s still a valid ticket because the violation occurred before the city’s red light program ended. Remember that the program is only supposed to turn off cameras in the City of San Bernardino, so still be wary of the camera enforced intersections through San Bernardino County where the cameras are still turned on.

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

Ticket for Running a Red Light on a Bike

2011-05-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Bicyclists and Red Light Cameras

Most bicyclists are not aware that the motor vehicle code applies to them since they are not technically driving a motor vehicle. “Motor vehicle” would normally not be expected to include a device moved exclusively by human power.

Bicyclists however can be cited for a red light ticket under the California Vehicle Code due to the fact that by statute every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division.

Although a bicyclist could technically be ticketed by Red Light Camera, there is the sheer fact that bicycles do not have a plate on them so the driver of the bicycle cannot be tracked.

State Assemblyman Michael Den Dekker in New York has introduced legislation that, poses the idea of requiring all bicycles to have a license plate, and placing cameras in the bike lanes, so that when a bicycle goes through a red light, they could be tracked down and issued a ticket essentially like registered owners of cars are tracked down and issued a ticket.

There doesn’t appear to be any similar pending legislation in California like that in New York, however bicyclists in California do face hefty fines if ticketed by an officer (though no demerit points to their motor vehicle driving record).

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

Are Red Light Camera Fines Too High?

2011-04-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Fines for Red Light Camera Tickets Going Up?

Do you think the fines for red lights are already too high? According to the State of California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, the base fine amount for a Red Light Ticket is $400.00. However, if you have received a ticket you know that additional costs add up to about $497. The base cost for the same type of ticket last year would have yielded $380.00. The $20.00 increase, added to the already high ticket fine for a red light camera, is just another reason that many California motorists are opting to their fight red light camera ticket instead of just paying it.

The cost of your actual ticket will of course be more than the base fine after added court fees. For example, a court security fee of $30.00 could be added and a conviction assessment of $35.00 could be added in addition to the base bail.

On top of the fine increase from last year there are certain counties in California (including Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno County just to name a few) that are allowed by law to impose a fine which is greater than the base fine amounts listed in the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule and thus the reason fines are almost $500.

Blog contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets. If you get cited for a red light photo ticket, contact us at www.TicketBust.com or call us at (800) 850-8038. For Spanish, please visit www.Combatesuticket.com or call (818) 584-3689. For more information on how TicketBust can help to beat your cell phone ticket, visit www.fightcellphonetickets.com or call (800) 850-8038.

LA Losing Money on Red Light Cameras

2011-04-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Safer Streets L.A. has raised the pertinent question of whether photo enforcement is a legitimate use of city and law enforcement resources considering the recent acknowledgement by the LAPD and LADOT that intersections have been made safer due to signal timing enhancements alone. Safer Streets L.A. and its supporters will be providing public comment as to why the contract should not be extended.

Effect of Extending PRL Contract 3 Months
Immediate cost of $ $901,539.00 (Vendor and LAPD/DOT)
Overall Loss of $22,000 (after income from tickets many months later)
Loss To Local Economy: $1,072,861.00+ (In ticket costs alone. Additional losses to the economy from higher insurance premiums.)
Cost for 30 day warning period $0.00 (Vendor pays this cost. Need warning period if system moved to new locations anyway.)
No Improvement in Safety (Accidents were eliminated by original engineering countermeasures, Cameras not put at most dangerous intersections)
75% of Tickets for Rolling Right Turns (97% at some intersection approaches)*
Violations can be further reduced by lengthening yellow light .3 - .7 seconds at minimal cost

3 Month Projections for Contract Extension

Receipts due from Superior Court	$ 1,072,861.00
Reporters Salary Fund Deductions at 18%	$ (193,114.98)
Estimated Revenue from RLC Program	$ 879,746.02

Vendor Costs	$ 691,194.00
Labor (LADOT & LAPD Direct)	$ 210,345.00
LADOT Infrastructure Cost Amortization	$ -
Total costs	$ 901,539.00

Net Income (Loss)	$ (21,792.98)

*Citation Data from LAPD
**Costs and revenue projections verified by Controller’s office.

The Safer Streets LA studies can be viewed and downloaded for free at www.saferstreetsla.org/reports.

Connecticut Considers Red Light Cameras

2011-04-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Connecticut General Assembly has never approved any of the bills offered in the past that would enable cities and towns to install cameras at red lights and collect fines by mailing tickets to violators. However, a new bill would authorize red light cameras in 13 municipalities with populations of 60,000 or more, and would fine motorists at least $124 per ticket. The bill has made a steady advance, winning two legislative committees' approval so far due to strong lobbying support and lack of funds in the State budget. Read more.

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