Photo Radar questions (Paradise Valley: homes, work, costs)

[cptndavis]

I am sure that this has been discussed before in this forum, but being that I am new to the area, I must ask. Is it true that if you receive a photo radar ticket in the mail you can beat it by simply ignoring it? A friend told me that in Arizona the summons must be physically served or it is not valid.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the clear plate covers or spray on stuff they say makes your plates unreadable to cameras?? Are these products any good? I'm hearing mixed reviews. I would like to take all steps available to protect our vehicles. We are not a dangerous or overly agressive drivers but I do want to protect ourselves from a barrage of tickets..

Thanks for any advice!!

Mike

[Mnslickinaz]

I got a ticket in the mail and paid it. The plastic plate covers can be purchased at Pep Boys or Checker Auto.

[Newbigtech]

Your friend is wrong..... They will get you! and you will pay a heck of a lot more than the $322.00 for the Photo radar ticket. They will pull you over, impound your vehicle while you wait for your trial date. Your license gets suspended afterwards.....
So tell your friend not to pass on B.S he/ she has heard 2nd hand.

JMHO....And experience.

[nitram]

If you ignore the ticket in the mail, then they will send out a process server and nail you then. Costs can get steep if you try to ignore the ticket. If you're passing through the state then you'll probably get away with it, but if you're a resident, watch out.
Any object that disguises or interferes with the license plate is illegal. If a cop sees one on a vehicle boy will you get it big time. You takes your chances, but you pays in the end.

[cptndavis]

Is there any leeway with these cameras? Will you receive a ticket if you are 2 mph over the limit?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

I am sure that this has been discussed before in this forum, but being that I am new to the area, I must ask. Is it true that if you receive a photo radar ticket in the mail you can beat it by simply ignoring it? A friend told me that in Arizona the summons must be physically served or it is not valid.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the clear plate covers or spray on stuff they say makes your plates unreadable to cameras?? Are these products any good? I'm hearing mixed reviews. I would like to take all steps available to protect our vehicles. We are not a dangerous or overly agressive drivers but I do want to protect ourselves from a barrage of tickets..

Thanks for any advice!!

Mike

What? You don't need to protect your cars from photo radars. The ONLY way to get a ticket is to either run a red light where there is a camera, or speed by a camera on the freeway. If you're not doing either one of these then you are fine. If you are doing this stuff then be prepared to get a ticket. We don't have these cameras on every corner. They are in some areas and some parts of the freeways. If you know where they are, or see them up ahead then slow down or break for the light!

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

Is there any leeway with these cameras? Will you receive a ticket if you are 2 mph over the limit?

I believe you'll get a ticket going 11 miles over the limit.

[nitram]

11 miles is correct. But remember all speedometers are not calibrated the same/correctly and can vary as much as 5mph. Auto manufacturers claim + or - 3mph for their vehicles.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by cptndavis

I am sure that this has been discussed before in this forum, but being that I am new to the area, I must ask. Is it true that if you receive a photo radar ticket in the mail you can beat it by simply ignoring it? A friend told me that in Arizona the summons must be physically served or it is not valid.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the clear plate covers or spray on stuff they say makes your plates unreadable to cameras?? Are these products any good? I'm hearing mixed reviews. I would like to take all steps available to protect our vehicles. We are not a dangerous or overly agressive drivers but I do want to protect ourselves from a barrage of tickets..

Thanks for any advice!!

Mike

Good one, cptndavis!

The best way to avoid tickets or "protect" yourself (your term) from Photo Radar is to watch your speed.

As for covering or spraying your plate . . . DEFINITELY A NO NO!

My neighbor was one of those "wise guys" with the perfect solution and he was stopped for no other reason but the obstructed plate. In addition to receiving a big ticket, his vehicle was impounded until the violation was fixed. Not worth the risk.

Up to 10 MPH over the limit is very generous as long as you are comfortable with the accuracy of the speedometer.

Good Luck

[GirlinAZ]

I am very upset about a traffic situation. There is a van with the cameras that parks within feet of a change in traffic speed sign. It goes from 45 to 40. It sits right underneath the 40 sign, which can barely be seen. How much space are you supposed to be allowed to slow down to the new speed limit? This damn van sits DIRECTLY UNDER THIS SIGN. A matter of a street away from the 45 mph sign!!!!!! No one here drives the speed limit. If I did, I would be a danger on the road. Driving safely should be within the comfortable range of what the rest of the traffic is doing.

Here is the thing: several years ago a friend got a ticket from Paradise Valley for running a red light. This was a valid ticket. However, he was told to avoid it. He did so. It never ended up on his record. He never paid it. It was as if he never received it.

He had the license plate cover on his plate when he got his last ticket-and I mean the good one. The one where I cannot read half of the plate from being right next to it-yet somehow they were able to read it at night. So, he had been ticketed 2 times for this plate cover, which is not a moving violation, for over 100 bucks each time. He never removed it, as he thought, it would be cheaper to pay those tickets, and not have to pay for a moving violation and have points on his license. Well, now he realizes, it doesn't work, he paid nearly 50 bucks for the license plate cover and over 200 in tickets to keep it on. Now, he has to decide if he is going to pay for the new ticket or throw it out like the first one or not. I have heard of people being served at their homes in the middle of the night. I don't know what he will do.
I now know where this van sits, and tonight, realized that I could stop and turn off of the road in front of this van in time to avoid a ticket-as this van is there all the time now that they know this is a speed trap. EVERYONE THINKS THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 NOT 40.
They must be short on cash. It is so wrong.
Oh, well.