Do All Red Light Camera Intersections Have Warning Signs?

Every Camera Enforced Intersection DOES NOT Have Warning Signs 

The California Vehicle Code only requires that warning signs be posted to notify drivers of camera enforced intersections and that these signs be posted either at all approaches to the intersection or at all main entrances into a city including (freeways, bridges, and state highway routes).

Have you ever wondered why there are photo enforced warning signs for red light cameras at some intersections but not all them? The vehicle code VC§ 21455.5 says (a) (1), “Warning signs must be posted at each camera-equipped intersection and visible to traffic approaching from all directions, or at all the main entrances to town including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges, and state highway routes." The purpose of this law is to make sure that drivers are warned in all instances where there is red light camera enforcement.

Many times you will see warning signs posted right next to the traffic signal light, however not always. Sometimes warning signs might even be posted at the previous, non- camera enforced intersection which can be misleading or cause confusion. So while a City may not be in violation of the Vehicle Code requirements if they don’t have warning signs placed at the intersection (since they have a choice in the placement), if any signs you do find are blocked or damaged in a such a way you can’t see them, then you may have something that can help you in getting your ticket dismissed because warning signs do have to be reasonably visible. Be sure to take pictures of the signs to show they are not visible and take them to court with you or include them with your Trial by Written Declaration if you choose to fight your ticket in writing using form TR-205 (available at your local courthouse).

Contributed by ticketbust, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.

Longer Yellow Lights vs Red Light Cameras

Longer Yellow Lights vs Red Light Cameras

Red-light cameras in Arnold, Missouri just took a hit that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year at one light alone. Fox 2 first reported Wednesday about a new MoDOT program to re-time of its Missouri lights.

MoDO is re-timing traffic lights everywhere, to give drivers more time to stop. The results so far, are incredible at the intersection of 141 and Astra Way. We compared a month of red-light running before the new signal timing to a month after the change in the yellow light.

Last May, the City of Arnold cited 709 people for running a red light on camera at the 141 light. This May? Arnold cited only 17 drivers at the same light.

Now, consider the money side of this. Last May's citations add up to $67,000 in one month. This past May, citations, if paid, would only bring in $1,600.

That's a potential loss of more than 3/4 of a million dollars every year.

That loss is split between three parties who divide the money from each $95 violation ticket. More than half of that pie (57%) would go to the city, 10% percent to the State of Missouri and 1/3rd (33%) to the private red light camera contractor American Traffic Solutions (ATS).

Arnold Mayor Ron Counts said their share of the money goes into the general fund, which pays for things like streets. But he says this newly discovered potential loss -- is a price worth paying.

Mayor Counts said, "The truth is, it's not about money, it can't be. We've got to deal with the safety issue and to me when you can drop this down to 20 people running stoplights, I think that's what we really need to be looking at. We'll adjust the budget. We have to." He added, "It's going to affect your budget no matter how you look at it

He said Arnold's been discussing putting red-light revenue strictly into safety measures anyway. He can't think of anything better than stopping red-light runners.

Counts said, "What's a person's life worth? I don't think you can consider that."

The private red light camera contractor, ATS, said in an e-mail statement, "We're pleased the number of violations in Arnold continues to fall. An effective road safety program must always integrate engineering, education and enforcement." However, ATS also warns ".. studies have shown that if the amber light is too long, drivers will disregard it and consider it part of the green light cycle."

MoDOT adds -- the drastic drop in red-light runners may not last. Engineers warn that drivers could start pushing the new timing cycles. They also say that longer yellows slow down traffic.

Watch Out for this Red Light Camera Ticket Collections Scam

scam alert traffic tickets
Beware of Fake Phone Calls From The Department of Public Safety

MARSHALL, Texas (KYTX) Full story  If you get a call about an overdue red-light ticket, don't fall for it. Scammers are illegally collecting money for tickets that don't exist. They're also stealing credit card and social security numbers by claiming to be with the Department of Public Safety. CBS 19's Monique Bird has details on what you can do to protect your identity and your money.
Red-light cameras are easy to spot at busy Marshall, Texas intersections. The cameras take pictures of red-light runners and the drivers are fined. But scammers are abusing the system. Claiming to be with DPS, scammers call victims demanding payment for overdue red-light tickets.

"People are gullible, unfortunately," says Jeff Gulledge. "It's pretty bad. Really bad. I think that they should be prosecuted heavily. It should be taken seriously."

Gulledge says he's not surprised by the illegal activity. But he hopes he can avoid scams like this by screening his calls carefully.

"That's why I don't answer those phone calls," says Gulledge. "I don't answer it unless I know the person."

So what should you do if you get a call from someone claiming to be with DPS? First, don't give out any personal information, like a credit card number or a social security number. And second, report it.

"Try to capture any information they have - maybe off of their caller id," says Jean Dark, with DPS. "And then, contact law enforcement and provide that information to them."

Trooper dark says DPS never collects traffic fines and won't call about tickets.

"Identity theft is clearly a crime on the rise," says Dark. "Be aware that it's happening. Guard your identity. Make sure that you're not divulging personal information over the phone to someone you don't know in a call that you have not initiated."

Gulledge hopes that advice will keep him from becoming the next victim.

"Knock on wood," laughs Gulledge.

Anyone suspecting fake calls should report them to the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office at 1-800-621-0508.

We have found several users of our site searching for the term "A93820014BS" recently from the following cities.  

10 Reasons to Keep Red Light Cameras

Los Angeles - LOS ANGELES - As the Los Angeles City Council prepares to vote this week on the future of the city's critical traffic safety camera program, the Traffic Safety Coalition is outlining 10 reasons why the program should stay:
  1. ZERO Crash Fatalities: Following safety camera installation, the Los Angeles Police Department crash reports, between 2002 and 2009 since the Photo Red Light Camera program began, NO fatal crashes have occurred at any of the camera enforced intersection approaches.
  2. Safety cameras have worked to make Los Angeles streets safer. There has been a 62 percent decrease in red light related traffic collisions at the 32 intersections where the cameras are installed, with no significant increase in rear end collisions.
  3. Safety cameras change driving behavior city wide. In Los Angeles there was a 22% reduction in crashes citywide after deployment.
  4. Deadly consequences of dangerous driving in California. 3,000 people are killed in the California roadways every year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  5. Red light running kills. 66 percent of all people killed at intersection crashes are victims of red light runners. The victims are innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2011).
  6. Red light running increased in Houston when cameras went dark. After intersection safety cameras were turned off in Houston, police cited injury crashes were up 350 percent after deactivation and one Houston intersection saw a 1,300% increase in crashes following camera deactivation. (“Exclusive: Accidents way up with red light cameras off.” KTRK ABC 13 Houston, 8-June-2011)
  7. Speeding and red light running increased in Albuquerque when cameras were removed. Red light running and speeding increased by 584 percent after intersection safety cameras were turned off at three Albuquerque intersections just five months ago (“Scary stats with red light cameras off,” KRQE News 7, 5/27/11).
  8. Speeding increased in Scottsdale when cameras were turned off. When speed safety cameras were turned off on Scottsdale's State Loop 101, the number of drivers speeding increased 1,024 percent (Washington et al., "Evaluation of the City of Scottsdale Loop 101 Photo Enforcement Demonstration Program, Arizona State University." Nov 2007).
  9. Safety cameras reduce fatal crashes nationwide. A 2011 report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded traffic safety cameras at the 14 largest U.S. cities using them reduced fatal red light running crashes by 24 percent (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2011).
  10. Simply put, safety cameras reduce red light running and speeding, change driver behavior and save lives.
"It's a sad reality that when drivers are not held accountable for their actions, speeding and red light running increases dramatically as they ignore our traffic safety laws, putting everyone in danger," said Traffic Safety Coalition co-chairs Paul and Sue Oberhauser. “Cities should be taking advantage of red light cameras and every other technology available to ensure these laws are followed and enforced.”

About the Traffic Safety Coalition:
The Traffic Safety Coalition is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization comprised of concerned citizens, traffic safety experts, law enforcement, public officials, victim's advocates, health care professionals, and industry leaders who are committed to working together to make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. We work with our partners throughout the country to promote technology and education that save lives and keep our roads safe. For more information, visit www.trafficsafetycoalition.com.

Do You Still Have to Pay Your LA Red Light Camera Ticket?


Even if Los Angeles shuts down red light cameras, don't forget about the ticket you already have. Are Traffic Cameras Legal In Los Angeles, California?

The Los Angeles City Council has announced plans to stop using cameras to enforce red-light violators at numerous intersections throughout the city. While many are rejoicing that the cameras may be shut down by the end of June, don’t forget about the red light camera ticket you currently have!

The program ends would prevent future red light camera tickets from being issued. However, don’t assume that any current red light camera tickets you have from the City of Los Angeles will just automatically vanish. If the current red light camera system ends these tickets will still be prosecuted. To avoid potential problems just be sure to follow up on any outstanding tickets. You can always check the status of your ticket on the court website to see if it is still active or closed. Remember, if the ticket is already filed and active with the court before the city’s red-light program ends (assuming it does) then it may not automatically be dropped. If you don’t follow up on the ticket it may go to collections or affect you negatively in other ways if the DMV is notified (LA courts exercise their own discretion and can choose to refer your information to a collections agency OR the DMV OR Both, although it is rumored they usually stick with the first option).

We would like your opinion as well if you think LA LA should shut down the cameras?  Was Los Angeles losing money on red light cameras?  A few non-profits have raised the question of whether photo enforcement is a legitimate use of city and law enforcement resources considering the recent acknowledgment by the LAPD and LADOT that intersections have been made safer due to signal timing enhancements alone.

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.


Should LA Shut Down the Red Light Cameras?

old red light cameras map of Los Angeles

Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners will decide whether or not to approve the LAPD’s request for a new multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for the city’s Photo Red-Light Program.  Are Traffic Cameras Legal In Los Angeles, California?


Some highlights from the LAPD’s request:

·Under the new Photo Red-Light contract, the City of Los Angeles will lose a minimum of $1.5 million per year on the program.

·LAPD has chosen American Traffic Solutions, the vendor for the current system, as the vendor for the new contract even though ATS is based in the State of Arizona and the City Council previously voted to boycott all Arizona-based businesses.

Safer Streets L.A., a grassroots organization dedicated to improving motorist safety, believes there may be enough opposition from Police Commission Board Members to vote down the proposal and kill the Red Light Camera Program.

Safer Streets L.A. also questions the wisdom of the City of Los Angeles continuing to do business with a company that has recently been caught engaging in ethical lapses in their quest to sway public opinion in support of red-light cameras. See the following:

Heraldnet
Spokesman
Highway Robbery
Againstallclods

The Board of Police Commissioners meeting will take place at 9:30am at the Police Administration Building 100 West 1st Street. LA, CA. Safer Streets L.A. studies regarding red-light cameras can be viewed and downloaded for free at Saferstreetsla.org/reports

Have a Ticket With an Unclear Photo of You?


What should you do when a photo enforced camera ticket has an unclear photo of you?

Those red light camera tickets you receive in the mail can be tricky to deal with. Many find themselves stuck with a ticket that says they were the driver but doesn’t actually have clear photo of the driver’s face.

If you receive a ticket in the mail that says you were the driver but it doesn’t have a clear picture of your face it can be frustrating because without a clear picture how can you even tell yourself if it was you driving? There is a way you can send in a form saying that someone else was the driver, but with a blurry picture how can you tell who it is.

You could of course go into court and let a judge see for himself that there is no possible way you could be identified as the driver based on the picture on the ticket. You could also explain to a judge that you can’t identify anyone else as the driver because of the poor picture quality. But going into court can be a hassle and scary for some, so it’s much easier to handle situations like this without going into court, with a Trial by Written Declaration. Using a Trial by Written Declaration you can explain the situation and even include a recent photograph of yourself for the judge to use as a comparison to the picture of the driver on the ticket. In situations like this there is a good chance your ticket will be dismissed.

Contributed by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.

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