Bogus Red Light Camera ticket - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Reneeee · 12-22-2011, 09:05 AM

Hey CP,

Looking for some advice. I believe technology is in the wrong here, but i'm looking for the more rational folks here to tell me the truth.

Today, while on my morning commute in to works I was driving down 14th street near Northmount Drive where the red light cameras are relatively new. As I was proceding towards the intersection in moderate traffic at 30-35 kms/hr(limit is 50) I noticed the don't walk light was flashing so the light was on its way to turn red. As I was halfway through the intersection, the light turned yellow and I proceeded to speed up (probably to about 44km/hr), I know I was still in the 40's on my dash(digital). Then the light immediately went red and flashed. I'm assuming it gave me a ticket, but what I'm wondering is whether or not this would be thrown out when they decide to prosecute? I'm sure they will be under the assumption I will fight this since I was well below the speed limit when the light changed while I was in the intersection.

What does CP think? will the cops really take my argument as legit if I say I didn't want to stop at a green light which had a flashing don't walk sign. I think it's pretty unreasonable to have the cameras active during rush hr, but that is besides the point. Any advice is good advice.

TurnedTheCorner · 12-22-2011, 09:06 AM

If you get a speed on red ticket, it's bogus and should be challenged. If it's for running a red light and the picture shows you did, I think you're hooped.

Did anyone follow behind you through the intersection?

Kybosh · 12-22-2011, 09:08 AM

I don't think those lights at that intersection are all that new. I'm pretty sure I remember them being there during the first wave of intersection cameras.

Also, from personal experience, a flash does not always equate into receiving a ticket.

STeeLy · 12-22-2011, 09:08 AM

You haven't received the ticket yet, have you?

Not every flash from the camera gives you a ticket. Red light photos are reviewed by police officers to determine whether you have ran the red light or not.

If you were already in the intersection when that light was yellow, you should be ok.

Russic · 12-22-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

If you get a speed on red ticket, it's bogus and should be challenged. If it's for running a red light and the picture shows you did, I think you're hooped.

Did anyone follow behind you through the intersection?

This was my immediate thought as well. More likely it's meant for either somebody behind you or somebody alongside you that was speeding.

albertGQ · 12-22-2011, 09:11 AM

Doesn't it have to do a double flash in order for you to get a tickety?

BlackArcher101 · 12-22-2011, 09:13 AM

You are fine.

For a ticket (red light) to stick, they have two photos. One showing your vehicle crossing the crosswalk/entering the intersection and one photo of you fully in the intersection. These two are critical as it proves you both entered when it was red and also fully entered. This prevents false tickets based on entering when it wasn't red (ie yellow) at the time you pass the sensors at the crosswalk and also prevents tickets from false triggers when it thinks you entered the intersection but actually didn't.

You are good. If, and this is a big if, you get a ticket in the mail, it will show you entering the intersection on a green anyways (since you say it changed to yellow while you were in it). In this case, the sensors shouldn't even trip the photo (they are activated when the red phase is active).

Now, all that is moot if this is a speed on green intersection as well. It's quite possible you were going faster than you think. Or someone behind you tried beating the yellow and gunned it, which got them a nice speeding ticket. In that case, you won't be the target in the photo. All photos are reviewed before sending and if there's any doubt, they throw it out (usually, the odd one still squeeks through).

mrkajz44 · 12-22-2011, 09:13 AM

This story doesn't seem to add up though. You are halfway through the intersection when the light was still green (and turned to yellow) and you were still in the intersection when it turned red? That has to be the biggest intersection I've ever heard about.

STeeLy · 12-22-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Doesn't it have to do a double flash in order for you to get a tickety?

The flash happen pretty close together, most people wouldn't be able to distinguish 1 flash vs. 2.

Even then, it doesn't necessarily mean you get a ticket. If you are IN the intersection during the first picture (when the light JUST turned red), in most cases, you should be fine.

I remember my red light ticket (legit) and on the photo of when the first picture was taken, it states how long the light has been red for.

Handsome B. Wonderful · 12-22-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This story doesn't seem to add up though. You are halfway through the intersection when the light was still green (and turned to yellow) and you were still in the intersection when it turned red? That has to be the biggest intersection I've ever heard about.

Or there was so much traffic moving so slowly they should have never entered the intersection in the first place.

Reneeee · 12-22-2011, 09:22 AM

To clarify, I was the last vehicle in the intersection but there was a van turning right at the same time and I believe the huge intersection you might be thinking about is 14th street and john laurie blvd. 14th and northmount/10th is quite small with a steep hill before and immediately following the interesection. Regarding speed, I can guarantee I didn't gun it through as I had enough time to see the light turn yellow, then instantly red and glance down at my spedometer which was showing somewhere between 44-46.

Sorry if this seems like i'm debunking what people are saying but I believe there is some injustice when a light changes that quick. Hopefully common sense prevails and then notice the speed I was travelling entering the intersection compiled with the fact that it was still green when I entered.

Notorious Honey Badger · 12-22-2011, 09:23 AM

Lemme guess, you were in the left lane holding up traffic?

Bring_Back_Shantz · 12-22-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reneeee

To clarify, I was the last vehicle in the intersection but there was a van turning right at the same time and I believe the huge intersection you might be thinking about is 14th street and john laurie blvd. 14th and northmount/10th is quite small with a steep hill before and immediately following the interesection. Regarding speed, I can guarantee I didn't gun it through as I had enough time to see the light turn yellow, then instantly red and glance down at my spedometer which was showing somewhere between 44-46.

Sorry if this seems like i'm debunking what people are saying but I believe there is some injustice when a light changes that quick. Hopefully common sense prevails and then notice the speed I was travelling entering the intersection compiled with the fact that it was still green when I entered.

Dude, you've already had like 4 people explain how it works, and that you'll probably be fine and not even get a ticket.

I've had red light cameras flash on me a couple times where I haven't received a ticket.
There is no injustice here to be complaining about.

Reneeee · 12-22-2011, 09:29 AM

Right lane actually, and the reason for my slow speed was in fact the fear of the light turning red because contrary to what all of you are saying about tickets being thrown out, i'm a non believer of proper injustice by CPS.

Regorium · 12-22-2011, 09:31 AM

I've driven that road for 10 years and I'm pretty sure that the northmount/14th street red light camera was one of the very first one's (if not THE first one) they installed years and years ago.

Regardless, as many people have said, you're fine. Come back when you actually get the ticket.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 12-22-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reneeee

Right lane actually, and the reason for my slow speed was in fact the fear of the light turning red because contrary to what all of you are saying about tickets being thrown out, i'm a non believer of proper injustice by CPS.

This makes so little sense, my brain actually hurts!

Ducay · 12-22-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Now I hope you get a ticket. I really do.

OP you should've just accepted the good explanations you got from many people at the start, because now, you've just pulled a Michael Ha and now have CP rooting against you.

rd_aaron · 12-22-2011, 10:56 AM

I got a red light ticket once when I was in Saskatoon. These cameras apparently took video as well and somehow you were able to watch the video. If you do end up getting the ticket, see if you can watch the video. If what you're saying is true, the cops who review the videos will probably just throw yours out.

flamingreen · 12-22-2011, 11:03 AM

I drive that road all the time. I've seen the red light cameras at the intersection flash for everything; turn right on red, going through a green light, turning left at a yellow to clear the intersection. If your story is true I doubt you will get a ticket in the mail.

Hockeyguy15 · 12-22-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingreen

I drive that road all the time. I've seen the red light cameras at the intersection flash for everything; turn right on red, going through a green light, turning left at a yellow to clear the intersection. If your story is true you will not get a ticket in the mail.

Careful now, he might argue with you about it.