Photo Radar

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I never went to court for my photo tickets, only for the cop issued ticket. For the photo tickets, I took a felt tip pen to a copy of the ticket and wrote "This is not me" on it, enclosed a copy of my drivers license, and mailed it back. Shortly, I'd receive a letter essentially saying "OK", which I filed away for the prescribed record keeping time.

That's all there was to it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I never went to court for my photo tickets, only for the cop issued ticket. For the photo tickets, I took a felt tip pen to a copy of the ticket and wrote "This is not me" on it, enclosed a copy of my drivers license, and mailed it back. Shortly, I'd receive a letter essentially saying "OK", which I filed away for the prescribed record keeping time.

That's all there was to it.

Hmmm.

[Peikko 1,575]

You are going to lie? Yet more examples of real Americans taking responsibility for their actions that I hear so much about

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You are going to lie? Yet more examples of real Americans taking responsibility for their actions that I hear so much about

Working the system is American. We wouldn't have revolted against the Redcoats if we had just followed their orders.

[Peikko 1,575]

Working the system is American. We wouldn't have revolted against the Redcoats if we had just followed their orders.

So taking responsibility for your actions only applies when it suits you?

Personally, I don't give a monkey's nuts who pays their fines and who doesn't, I just find it interesting how traffic laws don't really count, and the emphasis is not on taking stock of what went wrong and trying to improve, but on how to beat the system, the system that is necessarily 'out to get' the driver rather than protect all road users. It's very amusing really.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So taking responsibility for your actions only applies when it suits you?

Personally, I don't give a monkey's nuts who pays their fines and who doesn't, I just find it interesting how traffic laws don't really count, and the emphasis is not on taking stock of what went wrong and trying to improve, but on how to beat the system, the system that is necessarily 'out to get' the driver rather than protect all road users. It's very amusing really.

Oh come on, MC. I already said I'd take responsibility if I indeed ran the red light. If the photo shows my car entering the intersection and the light is already red, then no question. If it shows my car already in the intersection when the light turned red, then technically, that isn't a traffic violation. I believe your car must be at least half way through the intersection when the light turns red. The traffic lights are timed delayed to compensate for that. My concern is that these photo radar systems are owned and operated by a private company who profits from issuing tickets to drivers and the city gets a cut. That's an a$$ backwards way of handling traffic safety, IMO.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

We will have none of that Brit tool sh!t here. Challenge authority! It's the American way

Edited December 30, 2009 by Sofiyya

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Will will have none of that Brit tool sh!t here. Challenge authority! It's the American way

Amen, sister.

[Peikko 1,575]

Right, again, it's not your fault, it's some private company out to get you. Seriously dude, you made a mistake, learn from it.

[Peikko 1,575]

This has only happened to you once of course, mistakes happen, but Sophie there thinks it's a badge of honour. How many times have you run red lights and been caught now? None of them your fault, none of them potentially dangerous mistakes of course That's the ticket.

[slim 1,533]

How much is the fine? Just send in a photo of the cash, maybe it will work.

I heard about a guy that did this. They sent him a picture of his car, the ticket, and a bill for $200. He sent them a picture of the cash. They sent him a picture of handcuffs... he paid the fine shortly after.

Please post a link to support this.

If I was doing a college paper on something, or getting paid to do research, I'd provide sources and links. Since I'm doing this for free - find your own link. If you don't believe me or disagree, TS.

I posted what I posted based on hearing my local government representatives (city council) on the radio when they were discussing installation of red light camera systems locally. They actually came out and said, "we're going to get these to add money to our budget, not to reduce accidents." Needless to say we don't have them here. Yet.

So taking responsibility for your actions only applies when it suits you?

Personally, I don't give a monkey's nuts who pays their fines and who doesn't, I just find it interesting how traffic laws don't really count, and the emphasis is not on taking stock of what went wrong and trying to improve, but on how to beat the system, the system that is necessarily 'out to get' the driver rather than protect all road users. It's very amusing really.

The "system" is out to get drivers because it's not in place to actually save lives, it's in place for revenue enhancement. Red light camera systems are not in place to deter folks from running red lights - they're in place to make money for the city.

When we're faced with "justice" for the purpose of making money, which we already pay in the form of taxes - if they're not responsible enough to spend only what we give them and they need to find ways to make more money so they can be irresponsible with the money we already give them... isn't there something wrong with that?

Traffic court has nothing to do with safety.

My concern is that these photo radar systems are owned and operated by a private company who profits from issuing tickets to drivers and the city gets a cut. That's an a$$ backwards way of handling traffic safety, IMO.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

[Peikko 1,575]

I heard about a guy that did this. They sent him a picture of his car, the ticket, and a bill for $200. He sent them a picture of the cash. They sent him a picture of handcuffs... he paid the fine shortly after.

If I was doing a college paper on something, or getting paid to do research, I'd provide sources and links. Since I'm doing this for free - find your own link. If you don't believe me or disagree, TS.

I posted what I posted based on hearing my local government representatives (city council) on the radio when they were discussing installation of red light camera systems locally. They actually came out and said, "we're going to get these to add money to our budget, not to reduce accidents." Needless to say we don't have them here. Yet.

The "system" is out to get drivers because it's not in place to actually save lives, it's in place for revenue enhancement. Red light camera systems are not in place to deter folks from running red lights - they're in place to make money for the city.

When we're faced with "justice" for the purpose of making money, which we already pay in the form of taxes - if they're not responsible enough to spend only what we give them and they need to find ways to make more money so they can be irresponsible with the money we already give them... isn't there something wrong with that?

Traffic court has nothing to do with safety.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

Whatever the purpose, running red lights is DANGEROUS to all other raod users. I don't care who is operating the camera or for what purprose, if you run a red light and get a ticket you have been caught driving dangerously and correcting your driving behaviour should be your priority, not evading paying fines. If people did do that, then the result would be increased safety at junctions, but OH NO, we can't actually improve our driving, just moan about getting caught because it's a 'trap'. My point stands, UNLESS the camera is rigged to trigger improperly (ie, you didn't enter the junction during the red phase of the lights) then you were driving badly and your focus should be on that.

[Peikko 1,575]

If you believe that speed cameras are not the best way to improve safety on the roads, that's fine and dandy, start a campaign, join a campaign, find other ways to improve safety for all road users at junctions, because people not in cars using these junctions could sure use some help but getting bent out of shape because you are caught driving dangeriously and don't want to pay the fine so you find all kinds of excuses not to pay it is pathetic.

I'll be looking for a sympathetic hearing to all the alcohol drivers who get 'caught' at a trap because they are also only being caught to generate income.

[Dave and Helena 0]

We got one of those tickets a couple of years ago. It was clearly us, they even sent us a link where we could watch the video and well... yeah... it was red when we drove into the intersection. It said on our ticket (from the city of Atlanta) that if we paid they would not contact our insurance company so we just went ahead and paid it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I heard about a guy that did this. They sent him a picture of his car, the ticket, and a bill for $200. He sent them a picture of the cash. They sent him a picture of handcuffs... he paid the fine shortly after.