A buddy of mine just moved out to L.A., and called me this afternoon to say that he was making a left turn, and as he was making the turn, the light went red, and his car got "flashed" by a red light camera. He wanted to know if everybody who got "flashed" got a ticket, or whether they're reviewed by humans (like to see if somebody was waiting in the middle of the intersection to turn left when the light changed). I promised him I'd post on CL since there's such a large member base from southern CA. What happens if he does indeed get a ticket (e.g. fine amount, points on license, etc.)? Thanks for your input.

 

If someone gets a ticket via red-light-camera, it is the same as getting a ticket by a cop, therefore, the fine, points, etc apply. The person would most likely be cited for failing to stop at a red light (aka running a red light). This applies to making a right-hand turn too. You have to stop before you make a right-turn when the light is red.

Oh, and someone reviews the photos before a ticket is issued.

 

I went to traffic school a few months ago and they were discussing those cameras. Basically if you're caught with those cameras you're pretty much set to get a ticket. There are many strict criterias that need to be met before the camera will actually take a picture (for example, the car's location, the actual light position, if the lights are calibrated in the past 2 weeks, if the camera was calibrated in the last 5 days, etc.) It's very very hard to fight a camera ticket vs. fighting a police officer ticket. There could be human errors (actually, often) when cited by a police officer, but those cameras don't lie. If you're caught with it then that means you REALLY did it, and you pretty much can't get away from it.

I would be happier to be caught with a camera than a police officer because then I'll know I REALLY ran the red light or something, instead of arguing with some guy.

 

I was under the impression you only got a ticket with no points in this case. Afterall, they have no idea who's driving the car.

Ed

 

they used to take 2 pics of inside the cabin. 1 from directly in front, 1 from the side.

until they took a pic of a guy with his mistress and mailed it to his house. he sued and won. they're not taking cabin pics anymore (invasion of privacy i guess)

 

He sued, he won, and his wife filed for divorce and got all the money! American Dream!