This is not a rant, merely a quest for info. Please note the following questions before you respond!
Have you received a red light ticket in Costa Mesa, CA in the last six months to one year? If yes, go on to question 2. If no, please skip to the next thread!
Did you attempt to fight the citation in court? If yes, please go on.
What was your argument? Was it even remotely successful, or were you stonewalled by zero tolerance?
I am curious for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I got busted by a red light camera just before Xmas! Embarrassing, as I used to work for a company that provided that service (not the one that got me, though). The ticket states thats the light had been red for one-half second when I crossed the limit line. The fine is $326, yowza.
Ordinarily, I am a “you did it, you pay for it” kind of girl, and I have never fought a ticket before. But the penalty seems a bit steep for a half-second, so I am asking for other people’s experiences before I go embarrass myself (or not, depending on my chances).
I put this thread in GQ because I do NOT want people’s guesses or what worked in another jurisdiction. I want to hear about results in courts in Orance County, CA, if there are any among our posters. Thanks.
i have to answer no to question 1. but the issues are going to be similar in all jurisdictions. if no one has raised them in your neighborhood maybe you should be the first, especially if a private contractor is involved. (going to court can’t cost you more than just paying the ticket, can it?)
I asked about this stuff on here months ago, its complete and utter crap. Does not work.
It also is illegal, according to my CHP buddy, ANY coatings, covers, etc are a no-no and always have been falling under something akin to modifying or painting over the plate. So for example if you spray painted it black to make it non visible to cameras would be no more or less illegal than any “magic spray”.
The polarized plate covers that do work against are very illegal.
I live literally right next to a DMV, I bet I could sell 20 cans of that spray a day sitting in my front yard.
EJs Girl there was a thread on this just the other day. Here is the thread. Anyway Reader 99 posted this link which gives some very good jursdiction specific information.
Scroll down the page and read the info on the length of yellow lights vs the speed limit. If the yellow light is not long enough you might have a case IMHO.
Now with the OP answered let me add my feelings on this. A half a freeking second, that isn’t even a little pink. That light was flat RED when you entered the intersection. Don’t forget you also had the entire yellow light time to stop.
What would have happened if a driver to your right had stepped on the gas the instant the light turned green? Your Range Rover would have center punched him about dead square in the driver’s door. Depending on fate, luck, and speed, you could be facing a manslaughter charge. You should be very glad that $326 will fix this.
m’kay? thanks
Pay the cite, fight the cite it makes no difference to me, but for OG’s sake stop entering intersections when the light is red.
lol! That reminds me something I saw some years ago on an illegal racing forum.
Supposedly, using hair spray (the one that makes hair stick together) on your licence plate would do the same trick. I never tested it on my car, since there aren’t many (if any) speed cameras in Greece. Anyone out there actually done that?
In California, it is illegal to enter an intersection if you don’t have time to clear the intersection before the light turns red. Because of the nature of red-light cameras, you’ve already had more grace period than you’re entitled to. Quit complaining and pay the ticket.
No Nametag, that isn’t true. As long as you clear the limit line before the light turns red, it’s not illegal. And thanks for your input about my driving habits, as well as Rick’s.
And thanks for the link to the thread Rick. When I perused that thread yesterday, I assumed it was just more lame “disguise your plate” nonsense.
