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$500 moving violation

slobake

slobake

resident ... something
Aug 6, 2011
1,904
25,886
Somewhere to the left of "Whoopie"
smowles01.wordpress.com
#1
I made a bad decision recently. I was getting off the freeway and making a right turn off the ramp. There is a traffic light at the end of the ramp and the light was yellow. I rolled through the light and was greeted with a bright flash. I thought "Uh-Oh that's a ticket."
Sure enough several weeks later I got the ugly letter with the ticket. It's going to set me back five hundred smackers plus the charge for traffic school. No matter what the total it will exceed the money I have been saving for new musical equipment. No big deal I have two basses and three amps already. I'm good. Probably a good thing I have been saving money.
They sent me a link to check the photos and there is no question that the light was red when I entered the intersection. I looked on line at some cheesy attorneys who say they can get you off the hook but I felt kind of dirty contemplating that.
I do think five hundred bucks is way over the top but there is nothing I can do about that. I will pay my fine, sit through traffic school and and move on.
You can bet I will be stopping at yellow lights from now on so I guess you could say the method is effective. :blackeye:
 
#5
Gorn said:
The cheesy attorneys will help, believe me. They're worth the money. They'll get fines and convictions reduced significantly. Just look for ones with good reviews.
Click to expand...
One of the biggest jerks I've ever met is a local lawyer who's a complete (bleep), but I have to agree, just him making a few calls after my last speeding ticket saved me some points and some serious $ too.
 
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#6
Had the same thing about a month ago. Same link and everything. The thing that irked me is that they recently put in this sign that says stop at red light on a turn only lane that turns into it's own lane(!). I've lived in this neighborhood better than 12 years. I never noticed when the sign was put in. So when I got the mail I was naturally surprised. My very first ticket in 35 years of being a licensed driver. I was less than pleased.

California ...
 
#8
bholder said:
One of the biggest jerks I've ever met is a local lawyer who's a complete (bleep), but I have to agree, just him making a few calls after my last speeding ticket saved me some points and some serious $ too.
Click to expand...
In these situations you gotta lawyer up. Even with a reduced fine, you could end up paying more than you would have alone because of the lawyers fee but he'll save your insurance from skyrocketing. It's a worthwhile investment.
 
#11
slobake said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Maybe I am some kind of masochist or weirdo but I can't lawyer up knowing that I really did run the light. Just me that's all I'm saying. :bag:
Click to expand...
I kind of feel the same way, like I shouldn't have to, or try to, "game the system", even if it's in my own best interests.
 
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#12
slobake said:
..... I can't lawyer up knowing that I really did run the light. Just me that's all I'm saying.
Click to expand...

Same here.
I'm curious about the suggestions to get a lawyer. What's wrong with paying the penalty for breaking the law?
Yeah, it sucks but that's what happens when the rules aren't followed.

-Mike
 
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#13
two fingers said:
$500 for a stop light ticket is highway robery. I will stop short of politics. You have a lovely state.
:thumbsdown:
Click to expand...
I get it that California is not the place for you but I love it here and I don't want to live anywhere else. I know, I've tried. Not a perfect place but then I'm not perfect either. Uh-oh is my presence here keeping California away from perfection?
 
#16
slobake said:
I made a bad decision recently. I was getting off the freeway and making a right turn off the ramp. There is a traffic light at the end of the ramp and the light was yellow. I rolled through the light and was greeted with a bright flash. I thought "Uh-Oh that's a ticket."
Sure enough several weeks later I got the ugly letter with the ticket. It's going to set me back five hundred smackers plus the charge for traffic school. No matter what the total it will exceed the money I have been saving for new musical equipment. No big deal I have two basses and three amps already. I'm good. Probably a good thing I have been saving money.
They sent me a link to check the photos and there is no question that the light was red when I entered the intersection. I looked on line at some cheesy attorneys who say they can get you off the hook but I felt kind of dirty contemplating that.
I do think five hundred bucks is way over the top but there is nothing I can do about that. I will pay my fine, sit through traffic school and and move on.
You can bet I will be stopping at yellow lights from now on so I guess you could say the method is effective. :blackeye:
Click to expand...

The last time I was in a similar situation (many years ago) I went to court to ask for a remediated fine, which the arresting officer actually recommended. That saved me a few hundred bucks, but I have no idea how robo-busts work these days.
 
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#17
These were removed all across LA County years ago here. There was about an 80% increase in collisions at those intersections. City traffic engineers said photo enforcement caused more rear-end accidents because people are scared when they see a yellow light at a camera controlled intersection and slam on their brakes.

There is nothing rooted around public safety with those cameras. It is ALL about revenue.
 
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