Red Light Camera Tickets (Cleveland, East Cleveland: law, vs., move)

[winterbird]

Do you guys pay these? I received one in the mail and was complaining about it to some friends/family. Seems not everyone is compliant in paying.

Anyone ever successfully dispute one? What happens if you don't pay? I understand that East Cleveland was the only city to have the cameras voted to continue. So there'll be no more in the rest of Ohio? Is that correct?

Thoughts?

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by winterbird

Do you guys pay these? I received one in the mail and was complaining about it to some friends/family. Seems not everyone is compliant in paying.

Anyone ever successfully dispute one? What happens if you don't pay? I understand that East Cleveland was the only city to have the cameras voted to continue. So there'll be no more in the rest of Ohio? Is that correct?

Thoughts?

If you don't pay it, they will know. You can fight it, but that might lead to more costs. And I don't know if they are taking down the others in the area. Like you said, East Cleveland will continue with theirs.

It's a revenue booster. Plenty of spots around the country are looking to these now. I don't like em, but what can you do... it is what it is. I guess make sure you stop at the red lights, don't speed, and follow the rules. I know, easier said than done... especially if you are running late for work and traffic is bad.

[winterbird]

Yeah, you're right, I know. I was driving to a friend's place of business and took a route I don't normally take. Was over by 7 miles. So mad!!! LOL.

[ram2]

Don't pay. The camera tickets are illegal - they have different fines vs. a ticket received by a cop for the same offense.

[Traveler87]

No.

Call the right officials before you decide to not pay. I'm serious, this has been a big issue in this area. Not so much in Michigan where their roads don't exactly payoff for themselves.

[winterbird]

I asked a couple of friends who swear they have never paid they're camera tickets. But I'm sure I'd be the one they'd come after for non payment...lol.

[Cleveland_Collector]

In Ohio, tickets issued by a device (i.e., red light or speed camera), cannot be considered as criminal offenses. Therefore, they are issued as a civil claim. Essentially, they'll wind up submitting it to a collection agency. There is no criminal course of action that can be taken because, in 99% of the cases, they can't prove who is driving the vehicle nor can they provide sworn testimony as evidence.

The best thing to do is either pay it or argue it by mail. If you pay the fine, you're admitting guilt. If you go to court over it, it will wind up costing you more than the fine (and, of course, that's the game they're playing). First point of argument: Ask for proof of who was driving (they can't usually do this). Second: Ask for certified calibration records for the device (again, it's usually a problem). Third: Ask for the original, unenhanced digital photograph files (if it's a red light infraction). Many times, they'll have to make the light appear red through photo enhancement if the sun is shining brightly. Essentially, if you appear serious, ask the right questions, and make it difficult, they may drop the claim and move on to someone else.

Most importantly: Never admit to anything. These infractions are very difficult to prove or enforce without your unwitting help.

[winterbird]

Thanks for the info ClevelandCollector

[Tony22]

In some intersections, the yellow light quickly changes to red. I think that's what happened to me when I was driving my mom to the hospital. I think I got a ticket.

[Iseered1014]

For anyone in Ohio who has recieved a Red Light Camera Ticket for running a red Light this is for you.
Ohio Revised Code Statute 4511.094(C) states: A local authority that uses traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce any traffic law at an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals that exhibit different colored lights or colored lighted arrows shall time the operation of the yellow lights and yellow arrows of those traffic control signals so that the steady yellow indication exceeds by one second the minimum duration for yellow indicators at similar intersections as established by the provisions of the manual adopted by the department of transportation under section 4511.09 of the Revised Code. And See Section 4D.10 of The Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices OMUTCD:this Law states the if you use a red Light Camera you have add 1 second to the length of the yellow light duration and the state minimum is 3 seconds so Yellow Light has to be 4 seconds long Thats the Law. Actually all Sections of the MUTCD Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices apply to All States.