ridicules ticket?

[Mitchell3]

So last night my mom opened up the mail and saw she got caught by a red light camera. this was the first time ive ever seen one. We're still debating who was actually driving when this was caught but it was over 2 weeks ago when it was taken. Anyway, the details on it said the light turned red .3 seconds before the car entered the intersection. and i think it was 1.3 after the light turned red until the car was in the intersection. It sounds a bit silly in my opinion, because 1.3 seconds after the light turned red, the other direction is still red anyway. I think the reason we got caught was because in the picture you can see another car going though in the next lane over behind our car, so they caught us too.

Anyway, what are peoples opinions on this?

[coriolis]

Just to double check, so its okay to run a red as long as the adjacent lights are still red?

[TokyoKiller]

0.3 seconds before the car entered the intersection is quiet close and you could argue that you didn't have enough time to stop safely, otherwise your car could've skidded into the middle of the intersection.

[PCLoadLetter]

Most intersections have the pedestrian signals for walk / don't walk and most have the countdown until the light changes. If the intersection doesn't have the countdown, be ready for a red when the hand is solid or starts flashing. Sorry but there's basically no real excuse for running a red.

[TokyoKiller]

Most intersections have the pedestrian signals for walk / don't walk and most have the countdown until the light changes. If the intersection doesn't have the countdown, be ready for a red when the hand is solid or starts flashing. Sorry but there's basically no real excuse for running a red.

No law or act actually says that as a driver you are to refer to those signals, so that wouldn't hold up against him. The 0.3 seconds could really make or break in court.

[Mitchell3]

Just to double check, so its okay to run a red as long as the adjacent lights are still red?

No, but is sending a $325 fine(i think) for 0.3 seconds is somewhat overboard.

I understand that there is no excuse but mistakes do happen right? I'd prefer to be pulled over rather than this camera stuff.

And most lights here In kitchener/waterloo aren't quite up to that technology yet with countdowns :P just downtown in spots. I do like those things because I'm just 18, and for learning to drive, the judgment in yellow lights took getting used to.

[Soyabean]

I agree with PC, running a red light is running a red light. The good thing about being caught by the camera instead of by a policeis that you do not lose demerit points because the camera cannot prove who is driven. If you were caught by police, they would take points off as well as give you a ticket.

Although the walk/do not walk signs are for pedestrians, they are very helpful for the driver because it helps to give them a heads up as to when the light is about to change. If you really ran the light with 0.3 secs then I would say that you most likely had enough time to stop but chose not to.

Unless it was raining, snowing, or a guy is tailgating you, I think you could have safely stopped in time but Im just assuming since I do not know your situation.

What you can do now is maybe go and try to make up some excuse and hopefully they will drop it at best or else reduce the fines. I believe my dad got one of those and they dropped it from $120 to $40

I wish you best of luck

[S.F.W.]

0.3 seconds before the car entered the intersection is quiet close and you could argue that you didn't have enough time to stop safely, otherwise your car could've skidded into the middle of the intersection.

I disagree. By law, you are required to slow down, and attempt to stop on the yellow light. So, one sees the yellow light asses the situation, and stops. Or, if they can not stop safely, proceed through the intersection. There is no reason to enter the intersection after the light has turned red.

[TokyoKiller]

I disagree. By law, you are required to slow down, and attempt to stop on the yellow light. So, one sees the yellow light asses the situation, and stops. Or, if they can not stop safely, proceed through the intersection. There is no reason to enter the intersection after the light has turned red.

You don't know the circumstances of the driver at the time of the light change. If the driver was in the process of changing lanes prior to the lights changing it could alter reaction time and the space left for the car to stop safely.

Also, I've noticed that some lights change from Yellow to Red a lot quicker than others.

[PearlM3]

This is what they will tell you....Liights are programmed based on the speed limit posted. They are calculated to give you enough time to stop on the yellow before the red, or to go through the yellow if you are to close, BEFORE the light turns red. Therefore, the only way you would have not had time to stop for a red, or to go through a yellow, is if you were doing over the speed limit. Nonetheless, people die everyday because of people running red lights, it does not matter how long the light has been up, it is still against the law.

[prime]

Yes mistakes happen but can be avoided. It takes only 1 mistake to cause a severe accident. Even though the adjacent lights are still red, the oncoming traffic might be making left turns and running a red can cause an accident for you and them. That's just one example. I'm not here to preach but you say "there is no excuse" and right after you say "but mistakes do happen right" which kind of contradicts each other since you're trying to make an excuse.

Like PearlM3 said lights are based on different factors such as the speed limit. Your car should have been able to stop.
My suggestion just fight the ticket for a lower fine, pay it, pay closer attention to the lights, and pass along the message.

[malfunktion]

You don't know the circumstances of the driver at the time of the light change. If the driver was in the process of changing lanes prior to the lights changing it could alter reaction time and the space left for the car to stop safely.

Also, I've noticed that some lights change from Yellow to Red a lot quicker than others.

You know your not suppose to change lanes within like 100feet? of an intersection. lol

I think you should just suck up the ticket/ fight to get it reduced... bottom line is you ran a red. Can't really put an excuse behind it.
"I was looking at my cellphone"
or
"I wasnt paying attention"
Dont really work. lol

[bunchi]

No, but is sending a $325 fine(i think) for 0.3 seconds is somewhat overboard.

I understand that there is no excuse but mistakes do happen right? I'd prefer to be pulled over rather than this camera stuff.

And most lights here In kitchener/waterloo aren't quite up to that technology yet with countdowns :P just downtown in spots. I do like those things because I'm just 18, and for learning to drive, the judgment in yellow lights took getting used to.

you're right, it's $325 for that, they increased it from $180 earlier this year.

if a red light camera took your picture, it does not mean you're gonna be sent a bill to pay the fine right away. the pictures taken are still reviewed by people and then from there, they can decide whether you ran a red light or not. rule is, you're not supposed to enter the intersection while the light is red.

it's almost no point fighting it. you can try but i haven't heard of anyone given a break because they fought a red light camera violation. and i think you'd prefer getting this instead of an actual cop. red light camera tickets are like parking tickets, you don't get demerit points. you pay the penalty and off you go. with an actual cop, it's a different story. you get charged for runnin the red light, slap you a penalty, and points off you.

[alho]

Seems like nowadays, the yellow means speed up rather than prepare to stop.

[mazdabetty]

Seems like nowadays, the yellow means speed up rather than prepare to stop.

Yeah seriously. It's annoying.

[PearlM3]

Seems like nowadays, the yellow means speed up rather than prepare to stop.

Green means GO...Yellow mean GIVER

[XTOTHEL]

http://consumerist.com/2010/04/have-you-ever-suspected-that.html

[TokyoKiller]

http://consumerist.com/2010/04/have-you-ever-suspected-that.html

That's my point. You guys need to realize 0.3 seconds after it turned red can mean anything. I don't understand how you guys can automatically assume whomever was driving this car is guilty and should stop at red lights. Clearly he wouldn't be posting this if he knew he ran the red or does so frequently.

[PCLoadLetter]

No law or act actually says that as a driver you are to refer to those signals, so that wouldn't hold up against him. The 0.3 seconds could really make or break in court.
I'm not saying this in reference to any law. I'm referring to being a good driver and using any sign/signal to your advantage. When approaching an intersection with lights, you should always anticipate and be ready for a red.

[queens49]

No law or act actually says that as a driver you are to refer to those signals, so that wouldn't hold up against him. The 0.3 seconds could really make or break in court.

Red lights don't turn red instantly. There's the yellow light thats on for a bit before it changes to red. If I'm not mistaken, you are supposed to stop on a yellow, and only go through if you can't safely stop.

[TokyoKiller]

Red lights don't turn red instantly. There's the yellow light thats on for a bit before it changes to red. If I'm not mistaken, you are supposed to stop on a yellow, and only go through if you can't safely stop.

That's my point, if the lights aren't programmed properly to give the drivers enough time to stop safely between the yellow and red then there is a problem. Also, some roads are so riddled with pot holes and uneven surfaces that attempting to stop literally make your car go flying.

[ShortBus]

That's my point, if the lights aren't programmed properly to give the drivers enough time to stop safely between the yellow and red then there is a problem. Also, some roads are so riddled with pot holes and uneven surfaces that attempting to stop literally make your car go flying.

most lights i've been to have a good 3 seconds between red and yellow, and pot holes that make you go flying when trying to stop? srsly?

you can go fight it but i think the ticket is deserved.

[Noisy Crow]

most lights i've been to have a good 3 seconds between red and yellow, and pot holes that make you go flying when trying to stop? srsly?

you can go fight it but i think the ticket is deserved.

I don't condone running reds. But I have seen sub-one second amber lights.

[Rob23]

i don't even see the argument here. you cant run red lights! and there is no excuse what so ever to do so. pure stupidity..

[aris]

Since their is no points and only a fine why not just go to the JP to get the fine reduced???

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I disagree. By law, you are required to slow down, and attempt to stop on the yellow light. So, one sees the yellow light asses the situation, and stops. Or, if they can not stop safely, proceed through the intersection. There is no reason to enter the intersection after the light has turned red.


I don't condone running reds. But I have seen sub-one second amber lights.


i don't even see the argument here. you cant run red lights! and there is no excuse what so ever to do so. pure stupidity..


+1 to all of the above..

.3 vs .1 doesnt matter you either did it or your did not..

[TokyoKiller]

+1 to all of the above..

.3 vs .1 doesnt matter you either did it or your did not..

No one seems to understand my point. The light could've been yellow at the time that the car crossed the line, at 0.3, it could easily mean the light turned red when the car was already past the line and is in the middle of the intersection.

[S.F.W.]

No one seems to understand my point. The light could've been yellow at the time that the car crossed the line, at 0.3, it could easily mean the light turned red when the car was already past the line and is in the middle of the intersection.

you only receive red light tickets, if you enter the intersection/cross the line after the light is red. If you enter the intersection on a yellow light, you are clear.