Red light cameras

[Saint_Cad]

@mlees

I wasn’t arguing that the cameras were speed traps.

I was countering SaintCad’s assertion that red light cameras were illegal in California.

Sorry I wasn’t clear.

Again, IIRC originally the red-light cameras were considered a speed trap due to the technology used to determine when the car passed into the intersection. I believe it was radar based at the time and California has some pretty pro-driver laws. Thus a person could successfully fight the ticket yet the DMV would contend that since the person actually did run the red light, punishment was still due. Thus using the “driving is a privledge and not a right” theory, you still had to pay the fine or lose your license.

Perhaps with the new technology and laws, that scenerio no longer played out. My question is that if you go to court and the camera is operated by a private company - who acts as the prosecuter?

[DSYoungEsq]

@SaintCad

Again, IIRC originally the red-light cameras were considered a speed trap due to the technology used to determine when the car passed into the intersection. I believe it was radar based at the time and California has some pretty pro-driver laws. Thus a person could successfully fight the ticket yet the DMV would contend that since the person actually did run the red light, punishment was still due. Thus using the “driving is a privledge and not a right” theory, you still had to pay the fine or lose your license.

Perhaps with the new technology and laws, that scenerio no longer played out. My question is that if you go to court and the camera is operated by a private company - who acts as the prosecuter?

How could a device that determines if you have violated the red-light law be a “speed trap?”