Bogus Red Light Camera ticket

[BlackArcher101]

Hey OP, did you call the city and tell them about their injustice/broken traffic lights? If you think the light changing from yellow to red is an injustice, did you make any attempt to let them know that it was doing that? I'm sure they would appreciate it when someone tells them their lights are changing too quick at a certain intersection.

Otherwise, this "injustice" will continue.

[Brotato]

Your story does not compute. You say it was green when you entered the intersection, then it went yellow while you were still in the intersection, and finally it went red while you were in the intersection? This is impossible.

I believe what happened was this: during your morning commute you were stuck in traffic. You entered the intersection before the car in front of you could clear the intersection. You then got 'pinned' in the intersection until the car in front could clear, resulting in your ticket.

This is a very common occurrence at that intersection.

If the above is the case, I believe the ticket is justified. I can't stand it when impatient people enter an intersection when they can't get out an end up stuck there, blocking opposing traffic on their green.

[BlackArcher101]

While a ticket is justified in that case, it can't be issued via Red Light cameras. That would need a peace officer and a different ticket.

[Brotato]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

While a ticket is justified in that case, it can't be issued via Red Light cameras. That would need a peace officer and a different ticket.

Fair enough - I don't profess to know enough of the traffic act to confirm or deny what you've said. All I know is that I see red when people do as I described and think their time is more important than others.

Hopefully that is not the case with the original poster and it is in fact a system error (doubtful - those things are finely calibrated and that particular camera is tried and true, being the first one in town).

[calumniate]

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.

Tell that one to the judge. Have fun!

[sclitheroe]

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 I doubt you will get a ticket in the mail.

That intersection in particular, I'm sure it flashes for no reason at all - I've seen it flash when the light was red in that direction and there was no traffic moving or in the intersection.

[Reneeee]

Thanks everybody for the advice, ridicule, and otherwise.

To the poster mentioning me contacting the city. They have more important issues to worry about like traffic safety/ roundabout training/ snow removal.

One mans displeasure towards red light cameras doesn't warrant anything. I will update you if there is an impending court battle on the horizon.