Q re: Camera Surveillance Intersections.

[lpbk2713]

I went through a yellow light yesterday at an intersection that is equipped with cameras for taking pictures of cars that run the light. Ordinarily I would have made it through but the car in front of me stopped for no apparent reason leaving me stopped in the middle of the intersection when the light turned red. My question is this ... does anyone have any idea how long it takes to receive a ticket in the mail for running a red light? I just want to know when I can start breathing easier again. I think the fine for the first offense is about a hundred bucks and I'd rest a lot easier thinking I didn't have to pay it. TIA.

[unblock]

1. mrs. unblock got a speeding ticket about a month after the alleged infraction.

i'm sure the timing depends on the jurisdiction and such factors as staffing and caseload at the moment, etc.

i'd guess up to 6 weeks.


among the annoyances is that there's no way to build a defensive case. in my case, the infraction took place 7 states away while we were on vacation. i'm willing to believe she was, in fact, speeding, but how could we possibly defend ourselves if she wasn't? there's zero chance of getting any witnesses, and how could we possibly remember exactly what was going on at some specific time several weeks ago if we *weren't* speeding?

[lpbk2713]

2. It's a stacked deck.

And the dealer always wins. Traffic tickets are all about generating revenue.

[unblock]

3. not entirely.

sometimes traffic tickets are about oppressing people of color.

actually, i wonder if these semi-automated ticket generators at least are a bit less discriminatory.
my understanding is that actual live police officers have to review the video before a ticket is officially generated, so there's still room for discrimination, but i'd imagine it's easier to be more uniform with the videos than in real life.