Syracuse, NY: Departing the SU campus I turned on red after a complete stop. A city policeman pulled me over and wrote a ticket for "illegal right on red".
A sign 50' before the intersection AND obstructed by branches and oak leaves said no right on red. There was no sign at the traffic light.
I took a series of photos and went to court. Stated my case to the judge and asked for a trial by my peers. He sent me out of the courtroom to talk to the prosecutor.
Stated my case again and returned to the judge. He sent us out again. This time the prosecutor offered "noisy muffler". I said I did not have one. Court costs would still apply but no points. I held my ground.
Third time, the prosecutor got the message -- I stated my case again to the judge and asked for a trial. Prosecutor said, "In the interest of justice, the city drops the charge."
If there had been red light cameras ... ???
Years later, I drove through a red light and was promptly pulled over. I explained to the officer that to stop would have put me in the driveway of a fire station and beside a black and white sign that said "No Stopping".
No wants, no warrants, and no ticket. I made a judgment decision and the officer did as well.
If the fine is $50 or less you can not get a jury trial in TN. Wonder why the fine is $50? Cameras in Jonesborough are owned by an Australian firm. Who is the accuser you face? Where is the judgment component when an officer reviews two dimensional photos compared to being there. The intersection of Boones Creek and state route 11E -- definite safety issue based on past accidents, including deaths. Why does Jonesborough have three more cameras within a mile on the same road? By the way, 11E is a state highway and state property. The town never asked permission according to my source.
There need to be controls to keep the players honest. Money corrupts and there is a lot of it at stake, yours or theirs.
Traffic camera standards eyed
Two incidents, pre-traffic camera. You decide.
Syracuse, NY: Departing the SU campus I turned on red after a complete stop. A city policeman pulled me over and wrote a ticket for "illegal right on red".
A sign 50' before the intersection AND obstructed by branches and oak leaves said no right on red. There was no sign at the traffic light.
I took a series of photos and went to court. Stated my case to the judge and asked for a trial by my peers. He sent me out of the courtroom to talk to the prosecutor.
Stated my case again and returned to the judge. He sent us out again. This time the prosecutor offered "noisy muffler". I said I did not have one. Court costs would still apply but no points. I held my ground.
Third time, the prosecutor got the message -- I stated my case again to the judge and asked for a trial. Prosecutor said, "In the interest of justice, the city drops the charge."
If there had been red light cameras ... ???
Years later, I drove through a red light and was promptly pulled over. I explained to the officer that to stop would have put me in the driveway of a fire station and beside a black and white sign that said "No Stopping".
No wants, no warrants, and no ticket. I made a judgment decision and the officer did as well.
If the fine is $50 or less you can not get a jury trial in TN. Wonder why the fine is $50? Cameras in Jonesborough are owned by an Australian firm. Who is the accuser you face? Where is the judgment component when an officer reviews two dimensional photos compared to being there. The intersection of Boones Creek and state route 11E -- definite safety issue based on past accidents, including deaths. Why does Jonesborough have three more cameras within a mile on the same road? By the way, 11E is a state highway and state property. The town never asked permission according to my source.
There need to be controls to keep the players honest. Money corrupts and there is a lot of it at stake, yours or theirs.