There are few things worse in life than seeing a blinding flash go off as you cross an intersection and realize that you did not turn in time and will shortly be receiving a ticket in the mail. The first camera intersections can be traced all the way back to the 1960s. Today, 25 states employ these camera systems and tickets are known to be as high as $500.
Nearly 700 U.S. cities and towns have installed cameras according to U.S. PIRG, a public interest research group. New York City was actually the first in the nation to put up intersection cameras to catch red-light runners. In one town, 2,500 tickets were issued after the first two months of a camera being installed.
According to an article by Business Insider, drivers are wondering if cameras are being installed at intersections to promote safety, or to increase city revenue. Many drivers have insisted that there are cheaper and more sensible solutions to preventing accidents, than violating motorists' rights. If a camera catches you speeding through an intersection, you will be issued a ticket with a photograph of the violation which will come in the mail.
If you received a ticket after being caught on camera, make sure that your city can lawfully issue this ticket. Most places are bound by strict rules such as following a 30-day warning period or placing proper signs in every direction of the intersection. When these rules are violated, judges will often deem the camera system “unconstitutional” and your ticket will no longer be valid.
If you were issued a non-speeding ticket, Gannes & Musico, LLP, your local New York City traffic attorneys, can help protect your legal rights. Don't accept points on your record or hefty fines for no reason. In New York, if you receive six points within an 18-month period, the DMV may subject you to a “driver responsibility assessment.” Tickets can severely affect your insurance rate as paying for a ticket is essentially admitting to guilt. Don't go down without a fight!