Red light camera/ticket question

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  • #599719

    jeunglady
    Participant

    Just wondering if anyone has ever ran a red light camera and if so, how long did it take for the ticket to arrive in the mail? I know we have a few of those red light cameras here in WS. The red light I went through was actually not in WS (it was James/Boren in the First Hill area) and it was about 4 wks ago. Just wondering when the ticket will come in the mail? Anyone?

    #729439

    Zenguy
    Participant

    Didn’t take that long for mine (about two weeks) but mine was in Fort Worth Tx.

    #729440

    ElizabethElaine
    Participant

    I believe they must mail you the ticket within two weeks, or else you aren’t being cited. Not everyone who sets off the camera gets a ticket. They sort through them to see who is actually running the light (as opposed to making a free right, clearing the intersection, etc).

    More info:

    http://www.seattle.gov/police/programs/technology/redlight.htm

    #729441

    Harmonic
    Participant

    About the time I hoped they forgot (4 weeks) it showed up in the mail. $124. And no jumping on me, I was guilty, paid the fine and learned my lesson ok.

    #729442

    kmweiner
    Member

    Thank you so much for your post. I am puzzled by the people who want the cameras removed. It seems to me if you do the crime….

    The use of these lights means that officers are out doing more important things than hanging out waiting to give a ticket. And, the tickets are less expensive than if it was issued by an officer.

    #729443

    dbsea
    Member

    Does anyone know the city’s definition of running a red light? Does it have to be red upon entering the intersection or just red at any time you’re in it? Drivers commonly go through the yellow to have it turn red mid intersection-but I don’t think that is a ticket. I wish it were.

    And I love the cameras-If they’re what it takes to get people to drive a little more responsibly, and safely, then so be it.

    #729444

    metrognome
    Participant

    “Citations are only issued when a vehicle enters the intersection AFTER the light has turned red. If you enter the intersection on a green or yellow light you will not be photographed by the camera system.”

    http://www.seattle.gov/courts/red_light/red_light_faq.pdf

    This means that if you pull into the intersection during a green or yellow light to make a left turn and don’t complete the turn until the red light, you won’t be ticketed.

    Also, if you make a right turn during a red light without making a complete stop first, you will be ticketed.

    Here’s the link to the Seattle Municipal Code ‘Obedience to Traffic Control Devices’ section (interesting titles for .520 and .530 …)

    http://clerk.seattle.gov/~public/toc/11-50.htm

    #729445

    Homer
    Participant

    I think those camera’s are great and should be at every major intersection. It’s made me think twice about cutting a light too close and probably saved my life. So many people run red lights nowadays.

    Couldn’t agree more that these free up officers time to do their job of “catching bad guys” and keeping us safe in more ways.

    Like it was said before, people wouldn’t hate these cameras if they didn’t run red lights. They’ll always be “mistake catches” but every electronic system in the world makes mistakes, just as humans do. If you hate these cameras, don’t give them an excuse to take your car’s picture!

    -no one in general, just raving about the cameras.

    #729446

    mpento
    Participant

    I heard you can get out of the ticket by letting them know it was not you driving the car. Seems like a dumb kind of loophole but I was wondering if anyone heard of this?

    #729447

    metrognome
    Participant

    sigh … per the link I posted above:

    “You may submit a sworn statement to that effect to the Court to rebut the presumption, established in RCW 46.63.075, that you were driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. A Declaration of Non-Responsibility form can be obtained from the Court…”

    I couldn’t find the form, but I’m guessing it is perjury to lie, but then who’s gonna know?

    btw, the cameras only photograph the rear license plate as state law prohibits taking pictures of the people in the vehicle.

    #729448

    Harmonic
    Participant

    So let me clarify my post. I am in no way a fan of red light cameras. In fact I disagree with them completely. Especially since Arizona (you know the place we boycott) receives a portion of the revenue. It’s not like I cruise around running red lights, because that’s unsafe and against the law. I was waiting for a pedestrian while turning left and I should have stayed behind the line. There was a picture of my front plate included with my citation and certainly a human behind the wheel (me). The picture was too grainy to make out my face.

    Not planning on arguing the merit of red light cameras, just wanted to state that just because I received one, my lesson is – hold behind the line if you think the light cycle will change prior to all pedestrians clearing the intersection.

    I do wonder if a real cop would have actually cited me.

    Harmonic

    #729449

    shed22
    Participant

    Harmonic, I am curious: how does Arizona receive revenue from red light cameras in Washington?

    FWIW, not a big fan of big brother initiatives. I think there is disregard for the peoples’ opinion and choice when creating public policy. This happens far too often in today’s society. And we, the people, are mostly passive. It’s intolerable.

    What’s next, cameras in restrooms to monitor hand washing? Well, now, there’s an idea!!

    #729450

    Harmonic
    Participant

    The company they use for the red light cameras is based in Arizona.

    #729451

    shed22
    Participant

    Oh, so it’s not the state receiving revenue from red light tickets, it’s a private corporation making sales. Well that’s an odd hook to lead with, Harmonic. It’s like saying we support communism and slave labor because we buy [fill in EVERYTHING here] manufactured in China.

    #729452

    Harmonic
    Participant

    I was being facetious Shed. I don’t base my disagreement of red light cameras on that at all. I find it amusing. In fact, good for them! They are generating revenue in a piss poor economy.

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