Caught by Speed Cam and I don't understand. (Baltimore: safety, car)

[Chris-Kim]

I received a letter from the Baltimore County PD today. It basically says because I didn't stop when the signal had turned red, I have to pay $75.

Well, I made a *right turn* after the signal had turned red. The attached photos don't show a "no turn on red" sign. So, why is it a violation?

[Liondandy]

Originally Posted by Chris-Kim

I received a letter from the Baltimore County PD today. It basically says because I didn't stop when the signal had turned red, I have to pay $75.

Well, I made a *right turn* after the signal had turned red. The attached photos don't show a "no turn on red" sign. So, why is it a violation?

...but did you come to a complete stop after the light turned red and before you made your right turn? If so, then take it to court, if you have that option.

[Chris-Kim]

but did you come to a complete stop after the light turned red and before you made your right turn?

I read the letter again and it says I didn't. I know that drivers must completely stop before making a right turn. How the heck can I prove that I did come to a complete stop?

[Liondandy]

Do you have the option of going before a judge? As I said above, if you have that option, go to court, plead your case and hope the judge believes you. Good luck.

[kjg1963]

My daughter was driving my car and we received the same letter. She was making a right on red. When I saw the pictures, the brake lights were on and I assumed she made the stop and then turned. However, there was an option to go to a website and see the actual footage of the infraction. Well, needless to say, she had to give me $75. She never came to a complete stop. Check you letter and see if it states a website on it to review the footage.

[Merc63]

Red light cameras are great for those who drive drunk. Which would you rather have, a huge fine and jail time because an officer saw you, or a $75 no-points fee because only a camera saw you?

I hate red light cameras and the mentality behind them, as it's not about actual safety, but about the appearance of safety while making a lot of money off of ordinary citizens who aren't actually being unsafe, like the OP.

there's a world of safety difference between someone who slows to almost a stop and makes a right turn (as it shows awarentess of the intersection and other traffic), and someone just blowing through a stop because they didn't see it/know it was there.

It's been proven that lengthening the yellow light duration one second and adding a one second all red reduceds the amount of red light urunning by 85-90% AND reduces accidents of all kinds by an even greater amount (because you aren't turning a handful of t-bone accidetns into a huge number of rear end accidents).

[GoPhils]

Are the red light cameras video cameras? I guess I had thought they just took a bunch of still photos (and if so it'd be tough to prove coming to a complete stop for a right on red).