Red Light/Intersection Cameras...?

[Dom]

I need a little help this morning because I'm seriously worried I may be getting a ticket for "running a red light". I was on my way to work going about 50 in a 45 when I came up to the intersection in question the light had just turned yellow however it's a VERY quick change from yellow to red, one of those situations that if I was to slam on my breaks I would have stopped in the MIDDLE of the intersection so I just stepped on it and went through since I was already in the intersection when the yellow had happened then BOOM RED, as the bumper of my car is still in the intersection when the light turns red I see FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH from those stupid red light cameras.

Am I going to get a ticket for this automatically? Or is it something that they review before sending out tickets? Also, if I had no choice but to go through the intersection can I fight this in court? I think it's a big load of BS if I end up getting a ticket for doing something that was out of my control, like I said if I had stopped I would have ended up in the MIDDLE of the intersection....
Sorry I forgot to add that I live in Orange County, which is in Southern California.

I was going 50mph and the speed limit was 45mph so I wasn't really "Speeding" as in going 60+, but the light was green, turned yellow without enough time to safely stop, and turned red after I was about 75% through the intersection. The cameras only got about 15%-20% of the back end of the car....

Does anyone know who I need to call to contest this prior to them sending a ticket out? Like would I call Cal Trans? or the local PD? I need to know because this is my fiance's car and I would HATE for her to have a point on her record for a red violation. I'd pay the ticket but she would get the point.

Not to mention I didn't run a red light so I have no idea how they'd ticket me for it but hey...it is the California justice system which sucks bad...
Well because people have not "heard" of something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The speed limit was 45mph and I was going 50mph with the flow of traffic, I wasn't going 10mph over the speed limit and either way 5mph is't something a cop is going to pull you over for.

But I though when you get that ticket the light has to be red BEFORE you enter the intersection, not turn red while you're in it, isn't that the case?

[Mark N]

From what I understand where I live, you only get a ticket if the light turns red BEFORE you enter the intersection. And the yellow light is a warning light so they shouldn't be able to give out tickets for that either. I'm not sure whether the cameras can determine your speed, but if they take multiple photographs I think that your general speed can be determined by doing some math factoring in how long between the photos and how far your car has moved within that time.

[meowmixx]

You will probably get a ticket in the mail along with the picture. You can always go to court and try to fight it.

[cattlegirl]

From what, I've read they do give out tickets for going through a yellow light plus if you were speeding they'll, say you should have been going slower. My friend is a ex cop and that's were I get my info. These cameras make people so aggravated, including myself.

[holisticapprincess]

I don't think you'll get a ticket since you were in the intersection. I've done it a few times. the camera only catches those that are still at the white line and just completely runs it. And you always get your day in court its your constitutional right and most judges aren't really tough on traffic tickets. so odds are on your side.

[lthtsds4u]

Most likely yes.

How to fight it:
Step 1) Go back to the intersection and time the signals. How many seconds, Green, Amber, Red.
Step 2) Contact your local DOT - Traffic Signals Department and inquire what is the acceptable timing used for that intersection.
Step 3) If the timing is off from the local DOT Variance, report this light is not function correction and get a Report No.
Step 4) Go to court and FIGHT !
Step 5) If you loose, Appeal after the light is fixed. Request work order ticket from the local agency for proof of the work on the light. (NYC has 311 to help for this, don't know where you live.)

Good Luck.

[Ernie G]

Yes, you will get a ticket in the mail which could take up to a few months..they will also include a picture of your car with your plate number as you went through the light and the exact time in seconds over the accepted period of time..you could fight it with times and pictures but it might not be worth the time and effort, taking off of work when after the whole thing is over, you might lose the case and cost you a lot more than just paying the fine.