Traffic Cam Question

JmanND · 11-16-2009, 07:14 PM

Question for anybody with exp/info on how the traffic cams in California work. I was turning left an an intersection with a traffic cam while the light was green. Some idiot 3 cars up decided to come to a complete stop before turning into a gas station, leaving me hanging in the intersection just long enough to see the dreaded flash of lights.

2 Questions:
1) Does any person actually review these (or does a computer just blindly pull your plates from the picture and mail you a ticket)?
2) If somebody does review, will they still issue a ticket for this? If they don't review, will I be able to successfully fight it?

bsamoul · 11-16-2009, 07:16 PM

they aren't video cameras so i don't think they will ever know that you got stuck in the intersection

JmanND · 11-16-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsamoul

they aren't video cameras so i don't think they will ever know that you got stuck in the intersection

You don't think any of the picture will show the cars in front of me?

longtran · 11-16-2009, 07:30 PM

just ticket assasin it.

Kroy · 11-16-2009, 07:35 PM

Sorry for threadjack

But I just got a cam ticket the other day. The picture in the mail isn't very good. It's really dark and you can't make out anything of my face. But this is low resolution and not sure how good their high res image will look. My first camer ticket. Fight?

bsamoul · 11-16-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroy

Sorry for threadjack

But I just got a cam ticket the other day. The picture in the mail isn't very good. It's really dark and you can't make out anything of my face. But this is low resolution and not sure how good their high res image will look. My first camer ticket. Fight?

Did you deserve the ticket?

Bluesummer · 11-16-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longtran

just ticket assasin it.

answer to all ticket thread : ticket assassin

answer to all mod / installation thread : pm longtran

:lol

just4kickz · 11-16-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluesummer

answer to all ticket thread : ticket assassin

answer to all mod / installation thread : pm longtran

:lol

quite true.

VTECaddict · 11-16-2009, 11:13 PM

If your car was over the line before it turned red, then you should be fine. If it turned red a split second before you crossed the line, then that's your bad. Doesn't matter if it was backed up. If it was, then technically you shouldn't have tried to enter the intersection in the first place.

Was there another car after you?

E92-Lighting · 11-17-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroy

Sorry for threadjack

But I just got a cam ticket the other day. The picture in the mail isn't very good. It's really dark and you can't make out anything of my face. But this is low resolution and not sure how good their high res image will look. My first camer ticket. Fight?

in the same situation before, i didnt fight it, not sure how you can....

Kroy · 11-17-2009, 10:47 AM

Beh... I rolled it going 40. Contemplated speeding up but decided not to and that was my downfall.

JmanND · 11-17-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

If your car was over the line before it turned red, then you should be fine. If it turned red a split second before you crossed the line, then that's your bad. Doesn't matter if it was backed up. If it was, then technically you shouldn't have tried to enter the intersection in the first place.

Was there another car after you?

Sorry, thread is mine again.

Yes, traffic was moving through the intersection and I followed as it was green, then the 3rd car up came to a full stop and slowly causing traffic to get stuck in the intersection, I realized this as I was in the intersection and watched the light go yellow then red then smile for the picture. Nothing I could do really.

Also, my plates are still out of state, how does this work? Will they mail it to where my plates are registered or will it fall through the cracks (aka, they can't give tickets to a differ state)?

VTECaddict · 11-17-2009, 11:44 PM

Sounds like you were already in the intersection before the light turned red, in which case you should be safe.

UncleWede · 11-18-2009, 09:15 AM

Part of what should be on your ticket when it comes is your speed when the photo was taken. When it shows < 10MPH, any judge will beleive you were in the intersection when the light turned red, and then completed your legal turn. That is, ASSUMING your story is true.

Best regards,
Wede

JmanND · 11-18-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Part of what should be on your ticket when it comes is your speed when the photo was taken. When it shows < 10MPH, any judge will beleive you were in the intersection when the light turned red, and then completed your legal turn. That is, ASSUMING your story is true.

Best regards,
Wede

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Of course my story is true, I'd have no reason to stretch any truths on here, especially considering I want the best possible advice.

Chaka · 11-18-2009, 03:52 PM

Don't sweat it until you actually get a ticket in the mail. I received a ticket for something very similar. They send you photos and a link where you can review the video. Its clear as day.

FoShizzle · 11-18-2009, 06:06 PM

My uncle received a cam ticket in LA County a couple years ago. He said that he bought a book about how to beat the cam tickets. From what he said, the state contracts traffic cameras to an outside agency. Therefore, in court an agent from the agency operating the camera must be present to confirm beyond doubt that the picture taken is in fact the person who received the ticket. If they do not show up or cannot 100% identify you, it gets dismissed.

In court my uncle asked the judge if somebody from the agency responsible for cameras was present. The judge said; I know where your going with this, dismissed.

JmanND · 11-19-2009, 11:37 AM

Thanks guys for the help! It's been a bad week, glad I shouldn't worry about this anymore.

RX7guy · 11-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Dont pay.

There's nothing the license bureau or courts can do. It's a private company (and a sham at that) trying to collect revenue based on what they have evidence that you did something wrong.

No points can be charged to your license, and it doesnt show up on any traffic/ticket history.

Worse case is that this private company COULD report you to collections for non-payment, but there has not been much proof that this happens regularly.

I threw my ticket away and am not giving any money to the government for going a bit over the speed limit (cleveland has speed cameras - I'll take my business elsewhere)

It's really not that much different than me taking a picture of your dog not on a leash, and saying "pay me $100 because I have a picture of you doing something wrong or 'something might happen'. It's a mob mentality of "do as we say and give us money or something bad will happen" and I cannot believe that we let our lawmakers get away with this bullsh1t - for the people by the people - I sure as hell didnt ask for this /rant

11-16-2009, 07:14 PM	#1
JmanND Member 6 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Traffic Cam Question Question for anybody with exp/info on how the traffic cams in California work. I was turning left an an intersection with a traffic cam while the light was green. Some idiot 3 cars up decided to come to a complete stop before turning into a gas station, leaving me hanging in the intersection just long enough to see the dreaded flash of lights. 2 Questions: 1) Does any person actually review these (or does a computer just blindly pull your plates from the picture and mail you a ticket)? 2) If somebody does review, will they still issue a ticket for this? If they don't review, will I be able to successfully fight it?
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11-16-2009, 07:16 PM	#2
bsamoul Major General 165 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	they aren't video cameras so i don't think they will ever know that you got stuck in the intersection __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com
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11-16-2009, 07:30 PM	#4
longtran Lieutenant General 1433 Rep 16,628 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (105) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	just ticket assasin it.
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11-16-2009, 07:35 PM	#5
Kroy Brigadier General 173 Rep 3,032 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Sorry for threadjack But I just got a cam ticket the other day. The picture in the mail isn't very good. It's really dark and you can't make out anything of my face. But this is low resolution and not sure how good their high res image will look. My first camer ticket. Fight?
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11-16-2009, 11:13 PM	#9
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	If your car was over the line before it turned red, then you should be fine. If it turned red a split second before you crossed the line, then that's your bad. Doesn't matter if it was backed up. If it was, then technically you shouldn't have tried to enter the intersection in the first place. Was there another car after you? __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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11-17-2009, 10:47 AM	#11
Kroy Brigadier General 173 Rep 3,032 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Beh... I rolled it going 40. Contemplated speeding up but decided not to and that was my downfall.
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11-17-2009, 11:44 PM	#13
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Sounds like you were already in the intersection before the light turned red, in which case you should be safe. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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11-18-2009, 09:15 AM	#14
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Part of what should be on your ticket when it comes is your speed when the photo was taken. When it shows < 10MPH, any judge will beleive you were in the intersection when the light turned red, and then completed your legal turn. That is, ASSUMING your story is true. Best regards, Wede
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11-18-2009, 03:52 PM	#16
Chaka New Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Beater Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	Don't sweat it until you actually get a ticket in the mail. I received a ticket for something very similar. They send you photos and a link where you can review the video. Its clear as day.
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11-18-2009, 06:06 PM	#17
FoShizzle aka Mike 106 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: AW E92 335is Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: LA/Ventura, CA iTrader: (11)	My uncle received a cam ticket in LA County a couple years ago. He said that he bought a book about how to beat the cam tickets. From what he said, the state contracts traffic cameras to an outside agency. Therefore, in court an agent from the agency operating the camera must be present to confirm beyond doubt that the picture taken is in fact the person who received the ticket. If they do not show up or cannot 100% identify you, it gets dismissed. In court my uncle asked the judge if somebody from the agency responsible for cameras was present. The judge said; I know where your going with this, dismissed.
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11-19-2009, 11:37 AM	#18
JmanND Member 6 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys for the help! It's been a bad week, glad I shouldn't worry about this anymore.
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11-19-2009, 11:46 AM	#19
RX7guy First Lieutenant 11 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 07 e92 335i, 93 rx7 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Dont pay. There's nothing the license bureau or courts can do. It's a private company (and a sham at that) trying to collect revenue based on what they have evidence that you did something wrong. No points can be charged to your license, and it doesnt show up on any traffic/ticket history. Worse case is that this private company COULD report you to collections for non-payment, but there has not been much proof that this happens regularly. I threw my ticket away and am not giving any money to the government for going a bit over the speed limit (cleveland has speed cameras - I'll take my business elsewhere) It's really not that much different than me taking a picture of your dog not on a leash, and saying "pay me $100 because I have a picture of you doing something wrong or 'something might happen'. It's a mob mentality of "do as we say and give us money or something bad will happen" and I cannot believe that we let our lawmakers get away with this bullsh1t - for the people by the people - I sure as hell didnt ask for this /rant __________________ 10 Porsche 911 C2S - Cream White / Natural Brown 09 335i E92 LeMans blue M-sport 6MT SOLD: 08 335i E90, 07 335i E92 AW/CR, 93 RX-7 464 rwhp
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