Avoid Ventura

Times are tough and somebody's got to pay. Well I guess it is going to be you loyal revenue maker, and consumer.

I was the recipient of one of these little lovelies!
Furious! Because I never (seriously) never run the light.
Now I know why I got it.
I avoid going to the Ventura business area at all costs- I'll go anywhere else (even if it's further) just to make my point to Ventura stores. Maybe they can put pressure on the govt to fix these red light cameras.
I dont have any problem paying the ticket, if I had run it- but I didnt. Unfortunatley, by the time I take off from work, drive there, contest it (and probably lose) I'm out alot more money than if I just paid it. I think they know this and that's the scam.

These tickets are very easy to resolve. If you contest the ticket and you demand to see the evidence that proves that your vehicle crossed the line at the intersection after it turned red, they are required by law to provide it. If they cannot, then they must have an eye witness at the scene to testify, (i.e normally the ticketing officer). You then declare by state law (refer to a DMV handbook) you have a legal right to drive through an intersection on a yellow light. This should be enough to have the case dropped. trust me, I've done it, and it worked out. You can even go as far as to request a report of the intersection light if you feel the yellow light is not being held for the time required under state law. They only get you when you do nothing, and they threaten a larger fine for contesting to get you to do....nothing.

what's life comming to, "pensive pause"....

Just last weekend in Ventura I crossed over the line while it was yellow and when I almost was thru the intersection the lights flashed. I'm wondering if I'll get a ticket in the mail, or if the photo was for a car behind me or something. If I do get something in the mail I hope to fight it, because I was 3/4 through the intersection when it turned red.

BTW, Ventura lost a lot of money on these cameras. The city council thought it was a good idea but they owe so much money to the company that installed them they will likely never be in the black. Or so I heard.

I passed through an intersection and a incredible light enveloped the sky around me, it almost made me crash. I realized it was the flash from the street camera. It was just before sunrise and bright enough you didn't need your headlights. I never got the ticket, the only thing I could think of was that the picture was overexposed and they couldn't read my plates.

Plus, those moneymakers have caused an increase of rear end collisions at those intersections from people jamming the brakes. Just look at the increased number of skid marks at those intersections.

This always cracks me up -- people who run red lights never think they deserve a ticket. It's a different culture of accountability with the red light cameras -- there's no more fudging the light, hoping a cop's not around.

If you took a yellow light as a sign to slow to a stop, and not speed through the intersection, you'd have that $500 in your pocket.

Alan, you are incorrect: California State Law provides that if the front bumper of your car enters an intersection (i.e. passes the limit line) before the light turns red, you are legally in the intersection and cannot be given a ticket. Like someone already said, ask for the picture and fight the ticket.

Otherwise, there is nothing illegal about the cameras, nor is it extortion. It would be the same as having an officer stationed at the intersection all the time. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Also, it's ridiculous to say you should avoid an entire city because of red-light cameras. I suppose we should also stay out of Pasadena, Las Vegas, Miami . . . the list goes on.

Wow!
You mean it's not OK to run red lights? Somebody better tell SB drivers because they never got the memo.
Next thing you know they'll pass a law about using a cell phone while driving.
Remember, speed doesn't kill, sudden deceleration does!

Camera's are unconstitutional in public areas but Homeland security bypasses your constitutional rights.

"Camera's are unconstitutional in public areas but Homeland security bypasses your constitutional rights." Really? The amount of mis-information here is unreal. So you mean I can't have a camera at a public football game? You mean I can't take a camera to a PUBLIC beach? What morons live amongst us?

I love the pompous nature of these posts. so many of you act like you have never done anything wrong, EVER. And you guys are criticizing people's opinions of these camera's. I'd rather have people run a yellow light, than have some holier-than-thou attitude all the time.

I guess if you stay home 24-7, you can't break the law too often.