^^In charlotte, didn't one of the mayors a while back get one and then decide he didn't like the system, so then he had it shut down (but left the equipment as a deterrent)? I am from there, but I was told this happened while I was away at school, and that is why you never see them flash anymore

5/3/2010 10:56:20 AM

it's kinda silly because they've redone the light like 3 times since charlotte dropped the camera enforcement... maybe they're using it for timing? i've noticed for whatever reason you can trip the light cycle at night by flashing your headlights

5/3/2010 11:01:35 AM

???

Quote :

"also, is this going on my license as running a red light? or is it just a "pay this fine and you're done" thing? "

5/3/2010 11:07:54 AM

just a "pay this fine and you're done" thing

I've gotten 4 of these shits



and if you want to contest it, you still have to pay first. then they'll give you a refund if you win. waste of time imo.

5/3/2010 11:23:58 AM

no points thumpy, it's strictly a money generating thing.. pay and be done

5/3/2010 11:27:05 AM

set one off in downtown this morning...no argument, i ran it (along with another person who probably set it off before i did, but i was directly behind him so i suspect i'm more likely to get a ticket than he is)

still true that they don't affect insurance? what's the usual fine?

9/10/2014 9:04:28 AM

$50laftabucks

9/10/2014 9:10:42 AM

^ in that case, can i just send them a link to TWW?

9/10/2014 9:27:02 AM

As a professional wannabe u.s. constitution expert and trial laywer aficionado, I say yes.

9/10/2014 9:28:08 AM

also, really should have just googled: http://www.raleighnc.gov/home/content/PWksTrafficEng/Articles/SafeLight.html

Quote :

"Citations are sent to the registered owner of the vehicle and carry a $50 civil fine with an additional $50 penalty if the fine is not paid within a specified period. No driver's license or insurance points will be assessed"

9/10/2014 9:33:23 AM

I'd never pay one of these. Is the camera going to show up and testify in the courtroom?

9/10/2014 9:49:29 AM

^ i assume they have SOME way of enforcing it...i mean, there's a record that they issued you the citation and whether or not you paid it...seems like they could cause problems for you when it comes to renewal time, the same way NCSU supposedly won't let you graduate if you didn't turn in your gym shirt

9/10/2014 10:00:58 AM

Quote :

"I'd never pay one of these."

9/10/2014 11:10:07 AM

If you're going to worry about it pay $50. If you don't give a hoot then don't pay.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/10/2014 11:12:32 AM

Don't they put a hold on your registration and/or send to collections if you don't pay?

9/10/2014 11:18:02 AM

They expect most people to just be like "welp, better pay this illegal ticket" rather than contest it. In which case they'll just throw it out.

9/10/2014 11:20:42 AM

Its a freedom tax so to speak

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/10/2014 11:22:23 AM

Its a fucking racket, but Raleigh's system aint too bad, especially $50 or $100 if its late. Florida's has a signatured boilerplate statement from the "testifying officer" claiming they watched the video/photos and are vouching that you actually committed an offense, $158 IIRC. $264 if its late. In west palm beach, if you contest it and lose the appeal, it becomes $606. There's an article by a news team covering the redlight camera issue where they watched the hundred+ plaintiffs in traffic court contesting or explaing their case were all denied appeals except one who successfully argued a guy trying to test drive and purchase someone's car that was for sale ran the light and they never knew it happened til they got the bill. Thats a lot of people to potentialy get a $606 bill for trying to plead their case.

/rant

9/10/2014 11:45:08 AM

Quote :

"If you're going to worry about it pay $50. If you don't give a hoot then don't pay."

i only care if it affects me in some way...i assumed:

Quote :

"Don't they put a hold on your registration and/or send to collections if you don't pay?"

in which case, of course i'll pay it because i have to sooner or later and the fines stack if you don't do it by the deadline

Quote :

"They expect most people to just be like "welp, better pay this illegal ticket" rather than contest it. In which case they'll just throw it out."

well, maybe...the process involves an appeal request form and then hearing: http://www.raleighnc.gov/home/content/PWksTrafficEng/Articles/SafeLightAppealProcess.html

so you're probably right, it's probably easier (and cheaper when you consider one's time) to simply pay $50...and i doubt they simply see the appeal request and throw out the ticket

also, i don't have a good excuse, though i'm not above lying if it gets me out of it

9/10/2014 11:46:43 AM

Quote :

"To Whom it May Concern, I received a letter claiming I committed a violation of a speeding law (or stoplight infraction) in (PLACE) on (DATE). As per the instructions, I am writing to plead 'not guilty' to this charge. Although this option is said to result in this matter going to court; it is my suggestion that the charges simply be dropped. This suggestion comes out of respect for tax payers, and my request that their hard earned money not be wasted in such proceedings. As there is no evidence of my involvement with this alleged 'crime', as well as the fact that I am not granted my 6th amendment right to face my 'accuser' (a camera); I see no way the government could prove my guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. I also see find no legal requirement for me to implicate someone else in this process, as it is the government's responsibility to prove a person's guilt. It is also my 5th amendment right to remain silent on the matter. If it is the government's decision to move forward in this matter, I would request copies of any evidence the prosecution may have of my involvement in the "offense"; as well as, all maintenance records for the camera(s) involved. Sincerely, (YOUR NAME)"

9/10/2014 11:59:25 AM

^ i feel like they'd take one look at that letter and decide you're "guilty"

but hey, maybe i'll do it just for fun...after all, i don't THINK there's an additional fee for a hearing, so worst-case is i waste some time and i'm out $50

9/10/2014 12:06:15 PM

Quote :

"Don't they put a hold on your registration and/or send to collections if you don't pay?"

nope

9/10/2014 12:20:06 PM

^^Go for it and let us know how it goes.

NJ is kicking red light cameras out of the state. Other states have done the same. Meanwhile in NC...

9/10/2014 2:39:15 PM

easiest way to not pay these tickets?

DON'T FUCKING RUN RED LIGHTS.

This isn't like a speeding ticket. You don't safely run red lights. You can safely drive over the speed limit.

9/10/2014 3:20:01 PM

Whenever I run a red light it's always 100% safe

also concerning unpaid tickets:

Quote :

"A late penalty of $50 is added to the fine if a citation is not paid or appealed within 30 days after it is mailed. After that the information is forwarded to a collection agency where they will attempt to collect and the agency may report the matter to the local credit bureau, if not paid."

[Edited on September 10, 2014 at 3:33 PM. Reason : ]

9/10/2014 3:32:52 PM

Quote :

"easiest way to not pay these tickets? DON'T FUCKING RUN RED LIGHTS. This isn't like a speeding ticket. You don't safely run red lights. You can safely drive over the speed limit."

as a general rule, i agree with you...i usually drive the same route every day and i'm convinced they changed the timing on the lights, but i might just be making excuses

in any case, it wasn't a clear "do or don't" situation...i made a judgment call and chose to go through rather than slam on my brakes with the guy behind me as close as he was...clearly the camera thinks i should have slammed on my brakes

^ yeah, that's why i won't simply ignore it...i'll pay or appeal if it i end up getting something in the mail

[Edited on September 10, 2014 at 3:43 PM. Reason : .]

9/10/2014 3:41:56 PM

Quote :

"easiest way to not pay these tickets? DON'T FUCKING RUN RED LIGHTS. This isn't like a speeding ticket. You don't safely run red lights. You can safely drive over the speed limit."

There's always one of these assholes, every time. Glad to know that you know the exact situation every time something like this happens to someone.

9/10/2014 4:01:46 PM

Implying I can make decisions like that when I'm drunk.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/10/2014 4:15:23 PM

Quote :

"i usually drive the same route every day and i'm convinced they changed the timing on the lights, but i might just be making excuses"

I know when I got one a few years back near North Hills I stopped and measured the yellow light timing and it was half that of other lights in the area.

I actually don't care about the cameras as much but I think toying with the timing to amp up revenues is bullshit.

9/10/2014 4:42:59 PM

red light cameras have been shown to NOT reduce collisions because of the all the rear end wrecks when people slam on brakes for a yellow light

9/10/2014 6:03:34 PM

justin drives 15 mph in a 35 mph zone when it's raining so he can safely slam on the brakes on wet pavement so some unconstitutional camera doesn't snap a flick

9/10/2014 6:52:42 PM

I thought yellow lights were 1 second per 10mph above 35.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/10/2014 7:10:45 PM

Quote :

"In west palm beach, if you contest it and lose the appeal, it becomes $606. "

That is fucking bullshit. I don't see how they get away with that.

Quote :

"To Whom it May Concern, I received a letter claiming I committed a violation of a speeding law (or stoplight infraction) in (PLACE) on (DATE). As per the instructions, I am writing to plead 'not guilty' to this charge. Although this option is said to result in this matter going to court; it is my suggestion that the charges simply be dropped. This suggestion comes out of respect for tax payers, and my request that their hard earned money not be wasted in such proceedings. As there is no evidence of my involvement with this alleged 'crime', as well as the fact that I am not granted my 6th amendment right to face my 'accuser' (a camera); I see no way the government could prove my guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. I also see find no legal requirement for me to implicate someone else in this process, as it is the government's responsibility to prove a person's guilt. It is also my 5th amendment right to remain silent on the matter. If it is the government's decision to move forward in this matter, I would request copies of any evidence the prosecution may have of my involvement in the "offense"; as well as, all maintenance records for the camera(s) involved. Sincerely, (YOUR NAME)" "

Little of that is applicable. It isn't a criminal matter.

9/10/2014 7:57:20 PM