MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS
My issues stem from the blatant abuse of the Photo Radar System. It was intended to be placed in School Zones, Construction Zones, and Proven High Risk Collision Areas. What has happened is the authorities got a taste of the huge dollars this brings in and, in my opinion, safety has become the second factor. These cameras get set up in "Trap" areas commonly known in the Industry as "Duck Ponds" where you are Photographed going from 80k to 50k (50 to 30 MPH). Speed Traps! You'll note the reference to "Ducks" which is derived from the term "Sitting Ducks". That's right, this is what the authorities call it. Doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing this.
It is money that drives this machine, and the more tickets issued, the more cameras the Governments will buy. Just drive around
Now, because the Premier of Alberta and his Ministers think they know it all about Traffic Safety, he is proposing to up the Ante a little by enabling the Red Light Cameras in this Province to hit you twice. Once for Running the Red Light (DON"T DO THIS) and second, allowing the Cameras to Generate a Fine For Speeding (DON'T DO THIS EITHER).
Of course, we Motorists are completely taken aback by this, yet the Police and Politicians KNOW this additional Money Grab will add even more Millions to the coffers, and Jubilantly "Endorse" it. Watching the news and the Chief Of Police here in Edmonton jumping for joy at this was nothing short of hilarious.
Okay now, in order to be perfectly clear about things, this is what is going to happen. In Alberta (and I would be lead to believe other areas soon enough), when you unintentionally go through a Red Light, you are going to get a Fine for the Traffic Light Offence AND another Fine for Speeding.
What's even worse, these Red Light Cameras are also going to be set up as un-manned Speed Traps. Similar to Photo Radar vans, except no Operater. Even if you don't run a Red Light and just accellerate to clear a Yellow light, you could potentially be Fined for Speeding. The Authorities are "Double Dipping" you as a Motorist!
You could potentially be Fined over $500 just trying to get to work!
I'm no Brain Surgeon, but I can tell you that if the Province really wants to improve Safety, picking the pockets of it's citizens IS NOT the answer. With all the wealth we have, I'm quite certain we could do away with Photo Radar alltogether, give the Police more money AND improve Traffic Safety all at the same time. An infant could come up with a better solution.
Anyways, back to the story. Thanks for reading my little "Rant".
Fines for Speeding vary, depending upon how fast you are recorded going thru the targeted speed zone. Basically the fines for the speed zones work on a principal of approximately $3 per Mile or Kilometer over the speed limit. So, this being known, if the posted speed is 50 Kmh and you are nailed going 10 Kmh over, your fine is going to be about $80 dollars. This is an approximation and not cast in stone. Each Province or State runs relatively close to this principal. Remember, Red Light Camera fines are pretty much set. In
With Red Light Cameras, you should pay close attention to the traffic signals, which includes watching the pedestrian walk signals. If you see the hand indicating that it is not safe for a pedestrian to cross, you know you have to be prepared to stop! Watch the pedestrian signals. They are the best indicator of a precipitating signal change. By the way, running a Red Light is dangerous and just plain wrong. Don’t do it!
One more thing about Red Light Cameras. STOP COMPLETELY when you are at a Red Light and are going to be turning the corner. A "rolling stop" constitutes an infraction and you will be fined! One guy who was on the news awhile back had over $2200 worth of tickets sent out before he even realized what he was doing wrong. You think he wasn’t a little upset? I always count 1, 2, 3 in my head before proceeding while being Fully Stopped. The Red Light Cameras are extremely sensitive to motion. If you DON'T STOP COMPLETELY, you are pretty much guaranteed to be fined.
Currently, due to the shear volume of tickets being issued here in
Now, because of this backlog, Justices and Traffic Court officers have been REDUCING FINE AMOUNTS by an average of 10 Kilometers (6MPH) or 30% on your Ticket, just to push you through. This happens about 95% of the time from my experiences.
However, the only way to stand a chance at making this happen is to physically......
APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE LAW COURTS BUILDING AND ASK FOR "THE FIRST APPEARANCE CENTRE". (This may be named differently depending upon where you reside. However, every Traffic Courthouse has something similar from what I have researched).
When you get there you are going to want to be telling THE JUSTICE OR CLERK, when it's your turn to see him or her behind closed doors, you are willing to plead "Guilty" to the charge but only if they reduce the fine. You will need to have a valid reason as to why you deserve this reduction. However, pretty much any legitimate excuse will work, but try and be specific to your own ticket and circumstances. Usual wait times to speak to the Justice are under 15 minutes, so it's not like you are going to be there forever. Remember, don't be scared and show respect. These people are just doing their jobs.
With the current backlog, the Courts are, in most cases, willing to deal with you. Remember, in Edmonton and the major cities, going in the mornings or after 2:00 is the best so you don't have to wait too long. Going at lunch time and you will wait for a very long time as that is when it is busiest. I always go first thing in the morning because the wait times have proven to be less than 5 minute to see the Justice.
Additionally, don't be hesitant to ask questions from the Security Officers that are in the Court House as to where you should be heading and the proper line to get into to speak to the Justice. If you get into the 'Payment" line, you'll have to wait forever and then restart the process at the back of the proper line. It's pretty strait forward, and unlike getting lost and not asking for directions because of your pride, this might be an excellant exception to just suck it up and ask.
Now, if the Justices do not want to play ball and cut you some slack, PLEAD NOT GUILTY right then and there and wait for 6 months or more to see a Judge and plead your case. At any time during your wait, you can go back to the Courthouse and change your plea. No Interest charges will apply if you decide to change your mind about Court.
If you do get your fine reduced on the spot by the Justice, ASK FOR TIME TO PAY. You should get about 2 to 6 months to clear your "tab". You'll have to go back into the line up outside and will receive a "Time To Pay" notice. This goes by pretty quickly though.
Just don’t be late when it comes to actually paying your fine or you will pay an additional 20% surcharge or more depending upon where you live. You could also find yourself being arrested if you do not send in your payment on time, as a warrant will be issued for your arrest if you don't "Buck Up" by the agreed upon time. You could also have your vehicle impounded and be charged with an additional crime. So make sure you pay up, as agreed.
I advise you to Keep copies of all the Documents you receive related to these issues and make yourself fully aware of all dates relative to Court, Trial Time, etc.
The Onus is on YOU to follow up on this. Be sure to do it. Carefully read all the information on your Notice of Offence and or Violation Ticket that will accompany it.
CAREFULLY READ ALL DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION!
This is one of the most important things you can do when challenging any type of Traffic Offence.
SOME OF MY EXPERIENCES, FIRST HAND
REAL TICKETS WITH DEMERITS
Here is a personal example. I was issued a ticket out in
(UPDATE) After procrastinating and delaying the process for a total of 14 MONTHS on the physical ticket mentioned above I finally appeared in Court and cut a deal with the Crown Prosecutor on November 1/05. My Fine was reduced from $147 down to $89 and he dropped 1 Demerit Point. Of course I asked for Time To Pay, and was granted it until Feb 1/2006 A full 17 months from the original Day I was caught (trapped) speeding. I just worked the “System”. Anyone can legally do it. It is your right. Innocent until proven guilty. I love this stuff. Not the tickets, but working the "system" of course. (Note) Not all fines get reduced or charges withdrawn. It all depends on the day, who you are dealing with, and many other variables. However, common sense would tell you to take a little time out of your day and stand up against this ridiculous, Money Grabbing, political crap! When I send in my Taxes I expect the Politicians that I elected to spend my Tax Dollars on Policing my community and protecting me from Gangs, Criminals and Drug dealers to name a few. Not go out and empower the Police to write more Speeding Tickets or purchase more Photo Enforcement Technology, which by the way, IS a Revenue Generating Cash Grab. Keep reading. SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN? IN SUMMARY
PHOTO TICKETS WITHOUT DEMERITS
Here is another personal example of what you can save by appearing in Court and asking for a reduction. I was issued a ticket with a fine amount set at $156 dollars. I waited to the last minute (what’s the rush) and appeared before the Justice, in
Again, and I can't say this enough, read all the information on the ticket. In smaller communities it is a good idea to Phone The Courthouse to be sure the Justice is going to be in on the day you want to take care of business so to speak. They are not there everyday like in the major cities, so phone and confirm the date when they will be in. The phone numbers are generally printed on the Ticket. If not, find out the number through the telephone companies.
Although I cannot personally verify this, I have been told that Red Light Camera fines are being reduced by about $80 if you follow the aforementioned theory and challenge your fine. Just go and see the Justice and plead your case. A family member of mine did this and her fine was reduced, on the spot by $80 Bucks. She did it on two seperate occasions and both times the fine was reduced by $80.
Now remember, I have given you a couple of examples that have worked for me. Your individual experiences may be different, which is why I encourage you to check into the Ads in the Newspapers of Yellow Pages if you want to use a Professional. They do deliver the goods and I have seen them in action in the Courtroom. Just be sure to LISTEN to what they tell you when talking with them so you have a CLEAR understanding of the Services they are providing. You have to decide.
Based on what I have shared with you, there are 3 choices.
1) Pay Your Fine. Be out of pocket your ticket amount and accept it. Case closed.
2) Go to Court and ask for a reduction with time to pay. Potentially saving you some CASH!
3) Plead NOT GUILTY, in person at the Courthouse, or by following the instructions in a timely manner as indicated on your Violation Ticket. By doing this you will EXTEND YOUR TIME to deal with the fine and offence.
Now I myself Fight All Tickets irregardless of whether or not I know I am guilty or not. Why?
It Buys me Time, Reduces my Fine, or better yet gets the Charge tossed out!
This is what other people charge you a fortune for. You decide whether you want to do it or hire someone else. Your choice.
I encourage you to continue reading the following text of this site for some advice on Courtroom procedures. If you go to court you immediately stand a 50/50 chance that the officer who issued the ticket will be unable to attend. Remember this, and keep reading as I have information on this subject further into this website.
I have no idea if you will experience the same reductions or extended Court times that I have been fortunate enough to have received, but it is worth a shot. You decide what is in your own personal best interest to do. By the way, I fight each and every Ticket I get. Every single one of them. I don’t put up with this nonsense and neither should you. However, that is your choice. Everyone is different and I understand that.
Once again, if you don't have what it takes or the time to do this yourself, seek out one of the Professionals as mentioned on this site by looking in your local Newspaper or Phone Book. They cost a fair penny, but if you are gonna lose your Drivers Licence because of too many Demerits, you may want to consider using their services. You decide.
Keep in mind though that when it comes to Photo Enforced Fines, you're pretty much going to have to follow my steps as these companies typically don't cover this aspect of the Law. That's why I wrote this information. It's the first of it's kind anywhere and now you have an edge that you didn't have before.
The main thing to remember is to just take action. Decide what you want to do and just do it. Don't be afraid to take a stand for yourself if you are upset, broke, annoyed, or feel that you are injustly charged or whatever your reason may be.
Once you see how easy it is you'll have no problems in challenging Each and Every Traffic Offence to some degree. Handing over your money is easy. Costly, but easy.
I FIGHT EVERY TICKET I GET. THAT'S RIGHT, EACH AND EVERY SINGLE TICKET!
With that being known, for some reason I think my driving habits have changed and it is "Rare" that I get caught for any type of offence. However, they do happen and the simple Law of Averages dictates that I will be "Stung" again soon. I tend to go with the Flow Of Traffic which is natural. Sometimes that Flow is going to be targeted and I will be Fined. No big deal.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. NOW YOU DO AS WELL.