Red light cameras

Somebody did not listen while attending the Smith System training on stale red lights!

 

It doesn't get reported or put on your driving record..if you pay them the money.
If you don't pay...you'll get sighted next time you enter the state..and someone runs your licence data

 

Back in the day Chicago cops suggested I don't stop at the lights on the south side on the route to the rail yards.
Never did.

 

Texas has a lot of these along with short yellow lights. They are a revenew generator. They aren’t however enforceable as a moving violation in any state I’ve lived in. Many states have removed them because they don’t follow due process of law.

 

I’ve received two tickets. The light changes notoriously fast in that town and it’s ridiculous. They don’t go on your record at all it’s purely a revenue stream.

Ticket 1: in a cmv, got it in the mail a month later and it was $75.

Ticket 2: got it in a rental car that my company got for me. Received it in the mail also about a month later, $75.

I’m amazed they wanted the $75 so bad they put a lot of effort to get me from the rental car.

 

Depends on the state also. These have been through courts many times. So many are areas they are unenforceable. They just send you a ticket to see if you will pay.

 

I have had those things go off on me 3 times now I haven't received a ticket yet. Once in Jacksonville FL and twice in Philadelphia.

My understanding is if your steers are over the final white line marking the beginning of the intersection you are golden. Then on top of that, some forgiveness is given for CMVs within reason. The cameras will still go off and flash, but the people reviewing the footage will see your steers were over and dismiss the occurrence.. or that you were "close enough" and probably under a heavy load.

When you are dealing with intersections, keep it under the speed limit especially when you are dealing with stale greens. Use your best judgement and hope for the best.

There's that "sweet spot" as I call it where no matter how fast or how slow you are going, when it changes, you are in a bad situation where you aren't sure to stop or maintain. I have done both trying to stop and maintain. One time it was raining, I made an error and decided to stop and slide a little bit and landed about 6 feet over the line. I think but didn't get out to measure my mistake, lol

Just do your best and make your decisions always from what is safe for everyone.

 

Whenever I'm in a red light camera town, I pull off my plates, and slap the SWIFT sticker on the door.

 

Images of plastic license plate cover that blocks red light cameras