Speed Cameras come to California...Smile for the Camera Speeders

Hey, while we're on this safety kick maybe they should install cameras at all pedestrian crossings. It really is unsafe for pedestrians to cross high traffic streets even when the crosswalks are clearly marked. Maybe if we put some teeth behind this then the situation would change. FWIW, there are laws that protect pedestrians and it definitely is about safety.

Also, why don't we put up cameras to catch those cars that pass trucks then reenter the lane without leaving enough room between the truck and the car?

Also, what about those cars that don't allow buses to merge?

Also,...

Oh, and we could have a POI file for this too.

These cameras have been in place here in AZ for quite some time now. I got nabbed a couple of years ago speeding up to get through the yellow light. Got popped with a speeding ticket instead of running a redlight.

I know in Arizona, you technically have to be served the ticket in-person in order to actually be obligated to pay it (which probably explains why only about 29% of the expected revenue has actually been collected). Is it the same way in California (and other states, for that matter)?

The rebellion in Arizona has been quite strong compared to other states. Part of it might be that the cameras practically went up overnight, whereas it seems that most other states/cities have put up just one or two at a time.

States with budget shortfalls will more than likely install them.

Examples:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26934

Hey, can I have the speed camera company come and install a speed camera in front of my house (at their expense, just like the state and city governments do) and the camera company and I will split the money? I have "A LOT" of speeders on my street.

No, I'm not joking. I want in on this cash cow too.

My wife got caught with the red light camera last month. The fine was over 350 bucks or something like that. She fought it and the case was dismissed.

Now this speeding camera will probably catch me and everyone else in our area. I really hope they don't install it in our area. Either than or I'll have to learn to ease up on the pedal.

The speedlight and redlight camera POI will definitely help!

I have a friend who is a cop in Arizona. He has gotten a few camera tickets for speeding while off duty and not in his jurisdiction. He throws them away. He says, if they don't serve you in person, it is not legal in Arizona. Don't know if this is true or not.

You have to be served. In some cases they do have processors come and serve you. If so, it is an additional cost on top of the ticket fine. If you want to be served, throw the ticket away, do not go online and enter the "number" on the paperwork to view your ticket/fine/court date, etc. Doing so is admission on your part that you "did" get the ticket in the mail.

I guarantee you rear-end accidents will go up significantly at intersetions where the enforcement camera machine monitors BOTH the red-light and the motorist's speed.

A safe motorist faced with a yellow light decision will now, more than likely, err to the unexpected and extreme action of slamming on the brakes.

I am a California resident and I think this is ridiculous! I think in order to get out of debt we need to fire all those who got us into debt and get someone who knows what they are doing! Instead those people are finding every last way to suck money out of the tax payer's pockets and on top of that are still getting ridiculous salaries every year! Oh what a world we live in...

You guys only have yourselves to blame for the predicament you are in.

Keep electing Laweyers and Actors to run your governments and this is what you get.

Elect a BUSINESSMAN, and it will be run like a business - but stay away from bank predients.

Anytime a bunch of guys and gals get to make all the rules, decide which ones they won't follow, spend someone elses money to pay back those that got them elected and even if there's not enough money they just keep spending you know there is gonna be trouble.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
~ George Bernard Shaw

I did and couldn't be happier. I was born in California, spent 60 years of my life there and watched it go down hill. The slide was slow at first, hardly noticeable but then the slope became more slippery and I finally had to take a hard look. My wife and I moved to Arizona. Yes, there are speeding cameras but at least they give you an 11 mph margin.

My wife recently asked if I missed the Golden State. I told her I'd certainly have missed the place I grew up and even the place I lived in through the 80's but after that, not so much. Too bad. It was once a great place to live and raise your kids.

Cheers

That part about going online, that's just not true at all.

What if your attorney entered the ticket number and looked at the case, then told you to forget it? What if your wife looked at it after receiving the mail?

You wouldn't' be served, now would you? You wouldn't have acknowledged it at all. There's just no proof that you saw it, it certainly no admission.

Starting with the Governor. Swartzeneger and the democrats in the legislature spent money freely. No wonder the state is broke.

Ridiculous.

Go ahead...have your lawyer go online with "your" mailed ticket with the info to log onto the sight to check it out. Then ignore it. By logging onto the site with the login information on the mailed paperwork is acknowledging to the city, county, state or whoever, that you or someone has your paperwork and logged onto the site. Good luck telling the judge or trying to prove it wasn't you and that someone else took your paperwork and logged onto the site. Lawyer or no lawyer.

I personally know of two people who made the mistake of logging onto the website when they got their "uncertified" letter and then ignored it.

If you or your wife logged onto the site with the PIN that they provide on the letter for "you" to be able to login to the site, indicates that you received the notice. When you are served, if anyone in your household over the age of 18 accepts the "served" letter, you have been served.

Well, that provides an additional reason for not inhabiting California.

I'm sure that even after the revenue from cameras, there will be one massive tax increase in that state.

Fred

I personally think the cameras are a great idea, if people don't wish to be hit with large fines simply stop for the red lights and don't speed. Speed and running lights kills fathers, mothers, wives, husbands and kids. Just obey the law and be careful.

I think this is a great idea too. Red light cameras w/ speed cameras. Combine this with shortened yellow lights and we're going to have some dead bodies for sure!

can't wait!

How about 50 bucks and 0 points and we call it even? I mean really, I know they need to balance the budget and all, but $275-325 is reasonable for somebody going 25 mph over the limit but excessive for somebody who is just a few mph over the limit.

Those of you who think this is a "good idea and if you don't like it, don't speed"... be careful what you wish for. Reminds me of the local police chief commenting once that half the time they field a complaint from a local citizen about drivers speeding on their home street and set up surveillance there, one of the guys who gets ticketed is the guy who complained. Karma can be one mean beyotch out there.

BTW, that statement is direct from Susan Kayler attorney and author of Smile for the Speed Camera - Photo radar Exposed!

She mentioned that on the radio. You are not served if you go online and review evidence, or especially if your lawyer, or any other person does so.

OK, go ahead. Evidently you believe everything you read on the internet. I know of two people who logged onto the website with "their personal PIN" that is provided on the letter that is "mailed" out. They ignored it. They received summons to appear in court. Their argument that "they did not receive anything" didn't fly.

Like I said earlier, go ahead, log onto the site and ignore it. You'll see.

I too left Kalif after many, many years there. I moved to Idaho, and never looked back.