Surprise - You’re on Candid Traffic Police Camera
I was driving east up SE Division yesterday at 5:30pm when I saw the police traffic van that frequently sits in the westbound lane near the cross street of 13th Avenue. I’ve seen the van there many times, and the officer usually snaps pictures of westbound speeders out the back of the van. The light at 12th Avenue turned yellow five feet before I entered the intersection. I was traveling at 25 mph and there was no way I could safely stop, so I maintained my speed and made it through the intersection before the light turned red.
As I drove past, I saw that the officer fiddling with something on the dashboard and my stomach sank. It was a black camera, and his hand was on the lens. So I am almost certain that he took my picture. I googled it and found differing opinions. I’m wondering if I am going to get a ticket in the mail for this? And should I go to traffic court and contest it if I do? Suggestions?
I think red light cameras are permanently installed, specifically because they need to incorporate a sensor in the pavement to detect that a vehicle entered the intersection after the light turned red.
In any event, if you entered the intersection shortly after it turned yellow you didn’t run the red light.
Just claim you are a trimet bus driver and you’re off the hook. Trimet is above all traffic laws.
the same thing happened to me on friday night, on sw jefferson. i was halfway through the intersection when the light turned red, and i saw flashes in front (on top?) of me and behind me as i went through the intersection. i’m not sure how to contest it, though. maybe if i get the picture and its the top of my roof, they’ll know i was in the intersection before it turned red!
Contrary to popular belief, a juror is not bound by the law as often “explained” by the judge, who is in fact contaminating the jury. Juries have the last say in our constitutional process and are free to negate a bad law or vicious punishment. Remember any famous juries? They leveled the playing field somewhat. Time for juries to express themselves. If you, as a ticket recipient, don’t feel enlightened, perhaps there was better way to communicate your shortcoming. I remember vividly some 30 years ago getting a warning and having a discussion vice a ticket, which back then were 5 bucks and no insurance penalty for 5 years. Be aware that most countries use traffic circles to expedite. Most Americans, the sloppiest drivers in the world,can’t handle circles, most especially those who place stop signs at them.
Follow up - I never got the ticket. Not sure if the photo didn’t come out, or whether it was because the light hadn’t turned red yet.