Now that red light cameras have gone up in Kansas City, some drivers may soon be faced with an unpleasant surprise in their mailboxes. As a traffic offense resulting in fines, these tickets cannot be ignored. However, by following a few simple guidelines, you can successfully challenge these citations.
1. Verify the authenticity of the ticket – some municipalities have sent out fake tickets to trick unsuspecting drivers into admitting fault or solicit personal information. Verification is a simple process. First a real ticket will contain information about the court, including street address and telephone number. Often fake tickets will tell you not to contact the court. If you suspect a ticket is fake, verify its authenticity with the court system, either online or by phone.
2. Know the law and how the system works – Most red light cameras work by taking two or more photos of the offending car, including one or more of the car and its license plate and one of the driver. Without definite proof that you were the one driving the car, you can ask for, and often receive a dismissal of charges. Additionally, in many states, state law requires signs warning drivers of intersections utilizing these cameras. If these signs are missing, obstructed or damaged, you may be able to have the charge dropped. Additionally, some states have statues of limitations on the time between the offense and when the summons was mailed.
3. Build your case – Closely examine the photos you are sent for inconsistencies, unexplained time gaps or unclear evidence. Revisit the scene of the alleged offense and gather evidence. Check for notification signs and test reaction times of systems. If there is a fraction of a second gap between the light change to red and when you entered the intersection, you may be able to convince a judge that you couldn’t safely stop without endangering drivers behind you.
4. Go to court and fight the ticket – There is a reason why red light cameras are so controversial and many opponents argue that they are both unsafe and unreliable. Have your defense fully prepared before your day in court and go before the judge confident and well practiced. Dress sharply and be assertive, though polite and respectful. Present your case as strongly as you can, and there is a good chance you can have all charges against you dropped.
By knowing the law, your rights and the way the system works, you can successfully defend yourself against these sneaky tickets. Though it may seem like a lot of work, most people will agree it is well worth the effort to avoid these fines and keep their driving record clean.
