"redlight camera paintball" is fun
Why cant the red light camera just turn the light green so you Dont have to sit there when there are no cars around for miles? why why why why why why i dont get it.

redlight camera ? paintball is the solution tickets no more paintball paintball paintball

Thank you for the information. We got a similar ticket at the same intersection just recently. We were turning right on Verdugo on a yellow going red while cars where turning left on the opposite street Mountain, so there was no traffic nor pedestrians coming our way, which meant it was safe for us to turn.

After reading your blog, we feel we should try to fight our ticket. Any advice or tips on how to strengthen our defense?

Have you done any documentary for TV on this issue? It would educate us all.

Thanks to you and to all who posted comments, for and against fighting a red-light ticket. We feel more informed about this issue.

... and the fact that you are a recognizable TV celebrity had nothing to do with it, I am sure.

What would have been sop difficult about turning left, if you were in the wrong lane?

You admitted to the cop that you broke two traffic laws: you went straight in a left turn lane, and you ran a red light.

Way to go, Mister Bigshot TV Reporter. Good thing no one was hurt.

Eric,
Did you actually go through the entire intersection or did you stop over the crosswalk only? In our city where I live, the Sheriff's say they only issue tickets if a person goes through the entire intersection. Anyone who stops over the crosswalk, activates the camera, but does not completely go through the intersection does not get a ticket issued. The sheriff says its a hard stop and if a police officer was physically there, instead of a camera, they would not issue a ticket.

Why are all of you giving Eric such a hard time?

Who wouldn't want to have ANY traffic ticket dismissed?

Geez!

Roger:

Nobody drove onto a sidewalk! I ended up in the crosswalk. The left lane becomes a left-turn-only lane at the bottom of the hill without any signage to warn you. If you intend to go straight, and you try to correct at the last minute, there's no room to do it.
The police officer in the court called my name and showed me the video before the judge entered the room.
That's when I discussed the design of the intersection with him. Sorry you didn't hear it... But he did tell me the design of the intersection has been a problem before.
That's why he dismissed the case.
There wasn't enough evidence to convict. As you know, in our system if a case is dismissed, the defendant is not guilty.

So maybe the 'excuse' wasn't good enough for you, but it was adequate for the officer in the court.

Can you explain on how the design of the street forces you into the sidewalk? I have never heard of such a poor excuse for running a red light. I was in court on the same day for a red light ticket and saw you speak to the Officer briefly. I didn't see him agreeing with you on poor street design as you say. In fact you along with myself and others were dismissed before court began. Nice try.

Good for you. I'm glad you didn't have to pay for that absurdly priced ticket. I worked at the highest level in government and I can tell you these traffic cameras are used only for revenue generation. If they really cared about safety they would simply delay the green off the opposite red. Makes sense doesn't it? Not if you're City Hall. You should do a story on that.

Mary:

No one would have been in the crosswalk because the green left-turn arrow was on at the time... and so the "don't walk" sign was flashing too.

Eric

To Mike in Big Bear and other critics:

The purpose of this post was to let people know that it is possible to fight a red light camera ticket. I don't think my case was dismissed because anyone recognized me from TV. Many of the other defendants had their cases dismissed, too.

I am a careful driver (no accidents, no tickets in years, no points on my record). In this case I believed the design of the intersection forces drivers into the crosswalk... and the officer who heard the case agreed it was a problem.

I also think a $400 plus fine is a little high for the offense.

You should just be thankful there were no pedestrians in the crosswalk when you ran right through it. I guess that is not the important lesson to be learned here. Just you bragging about fighting a ticket and having it dismissed. Good message to send to the public.

Hey Eric...Just looked at the pics you posted about fighting the red light ticket. Looks like you were in a lane going straight. What does that have to do with not knowing you have to make a left turn? Also, didn't you grow up in Glendale. I would think you would be familiar with the streets and where/when you can turn. I think your post is just a self-ego boost.

Congrats Eric! I've heard other people get out of red light tickets from cameras. In one instance a friend got out of a ticket because the timing between the yellow light to red light wasn’t long enough. It can be done! Great job.

I got a TRADITIONAL red light ticket in Walnut a couple of weeks ago. The Deputy asked if I knew why she stopped me... I said I did not.

She explained that I ran the red arrow at the intersection that I just turned thru (LEMON & VEJAR). Now, I saw her just before I made my turn, and I do NOT run red lights, especially right in front of cops.

So I took my ticket, but later that day, I drove thu the same interseciton again... and I noticed that the RED ARROW in question was about 2/3 BURNED OUT! You could barely even make it out.

I plan on fighting this one.

ESPECIALLY since they sent me a letter from the court stating the bail amount on the ticket was $522!!!

What a rip off. I feel like I have a good case, but honestly, I do not think I am going to win. California just needs the money too badly.

Oh, by the way, after she gave me my ticket, Deputy CHO from the LA COUNTY SHERIFF's WALNUT STATION failed to signal just before she pulled an illegal U-TURN IN A SCHOOL ZONE after issuing me my ticket.

I guess she's special.

Yay Eric-very happy for you getting it dismissed. I guess it would be too much to ask for them to fix the problem and save those other people time and money. I wasn't so lucky in Culver city but I tried. You are right doesn't hurt to try if you have a good case.

P.S. it is a good picture of you though :-)

Eric,
How many of these stories have we done over the years? It seems perfectly appropriate to question the reason for a ticket and even the so called irrefuteable evidence of a camera. There is always the possibility of extenuating circumstances as was apparently the case in your situation. I know you wouldn't intentionally break the law, but it is in our journalistic nature to question everything, even an "airtight" photo ticket. There's an old Chicago journalism saying that goes, "you say your mother loves you? Check it out!"
Carlos Amezcua
Fox 11 News

There is no excuse for running a red light. What is the problem with making the left turn and then turning around and complying with the law. What was so important that you can condone running a red light. Were you on the way to the emergency room? Was someone sick and you had no choice but to run the light? How much of your explanation to the police officer was needed or was it just because you are someone he has seen on TV.

Eric congrats on beating the ticket! I live in Glendale and know that intersection well. I've seen that light turn from green to red in less than 2 seconds late at night. In fact, I've thought of going to the Glendale PD to complain about it. I too have had a red-light ticket (in Hollywood). The only ticket I've ever gotten in my whole life. It was one of those stop-and-go situations where traffic is moving and then it just stops. Anyway, wish you guys would do a comprehensive story on red light camera tix. (May sweeps is just around the corner...)

You are so lucky the judge didnt hear that weasel out story!
Why did you drive through the red ...huh..huh.. take him to jail.

From: http://www.highwayrobbery.net/

WELCOME TO HIGHWAYROBBERY.NET

Info & Advice about California Red Light Camera Tickets - - for Free!

Opened Sept. 23, 2002. Content updated March 27, 2009.

"Traffic rules account for most of the contact by average citizens with law enforcement and the courts. Enforcement of laws which are widely perceived as unreasonable and unfair generates disrespect and even contempt toward those who make and enforce those laws."
The Appellate Department, in People vs. Goulet

wadada

Los Angeles Times festival of books

The April 25-26 book fair in LA will introduce new book by Vahid Razavi, Iranian American entrepreneur who gained priceless experiences by traveling the world and trying to find similarities with people. He is explaining the current situation in places like IRAN, USA, Serbia etc.
Also, he said that for some people travel is a way of life and it does not necessarily include 5 star hotels and vacations on the far away beaches. There are so many other ways to experience different cultures and enrich ones life. There is a book that talks allot about these kind of things, it is a travel journal of an Iranian American entrepreneur traveling in Balkans, called The Age of Nepotism. Our booth number in UCLA is 683 Zone F, if you are in the neighborhood come on over and pay us a visit. You also can visit the site
www.theageofnepotism.com
http://theageofnepotism.com/2009/04/press-release-los-angeles-times-festival-of-books/

Congratulations on winning your case.

Your photos remind me of an installment of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Topic: Larry's obsession with rear-ends.

Larry is tasked to pick up an elderly friend. She's in the passenger's seat. Her suitcase in the back seat falls over. She reaches between the bucket seats to correct it. She stretches further just as their photo is taken by a traffic camera. Two months later the photo arrives in the mail. All you see is his incredulous expression and her rather expansive rear-end. Too funny!

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Season 2, Episode 12, "Thor"
http://www.hbo.com/larrydavid/episode/season2/episode12.html

Welcome back and congrats on winning your ticket. As someone who does a lot of driving for my job, I don't trust red light cameras. Glad to know that there is a chance to win.