Fighting a Red light camera fine

cant · 13-06-2009, 05:25 PM

Ok I may cop it for this.

Driving towing a 8x5 trailer with about 30 bricks in it and traveling Well below the 60kph limit, had this DH in a camry try several times to pass me on the inside which he fails to do due to parked cars, as I approach a known speed and red light camera intersection the lights go to amber, i have a choice,

1/ coast on thru and maybe not make it, or
2/ stand on the anchors???

As i am not going fast i stand on the anchors, only to hear a horn then you guessed it, I get HIT FROM BEHIND !!! This clown has tried to go up the inside again, and hit me.

Off the brakes and back on again, i am in the intersection, What can i do, but keep going, now at walking pace, as the DH passes me on the left and FLASH!!!!

Then he takes off, ok so i tried to catch up, but not a good idea to pursue him, so i stop, get out and check for damage, none to speak of as i built the trailer myself, SOLID.

So where does this leave me with the red light fine, can i fight it ???

Cheers CANT!!

AndrewR_AUII · 13-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Did you report this to the Police when it happened ?

Having a police report on the other driver and the 'accident' may support your case.

Rodp · 13-06-2009, 05:39 PM

I can't tell from your description who tripped the red light camera, seems like you describe he did but then you think you're the one stuck with the fine...? I'm obviously missing something as I can't think of any scenario where he could run into you then get around you without blasting through a red and not be the focus of a holiday snap.

I'd be straight down the cop shop for a hit and run, even better if, during your short pursuit, you managed to jot down DH's licence plate. I'm assuming most red light cameras also detect speed...? If you're at walking pace into the intersection and you have your story down as record then I believe you have a case.

If there's no damage to the trailer, the impact had to be absorbed somewhere. I'd check under your car, particularly where the tow bar mates with the body.

4Vman · 13-06-2009, 05:49 PM

Report the accident and hopefully his rego shows up on the camera pic.

flappist · 13-06-2009, 06:02 PM

Yes you can fight it. Which state are you in?

You actually need to not pay the ticket if you get one and the go to court. As mentioned above the police report will help. Talk to a solicitor as well.

cant · 13-06-2009, 06:18 PM

Thanks guys, didnt do the Vic police thing, originally didnt think it was worth it as i didnt have any real damage (been back out for a look at the trailer) wasnt much of a shunt, just enough of a tap that i freaked.

Wont go the cops, they have better things and real crims to deal with, but will be nominating to go to court to fight it.

Thanks Guys

CANT!!!!

Riksta · 13-06-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cant

Wont go the cops, they have better things and real crims to deal with, but will be nominating to go to court to fight it.

I'd recommend going to the police and putting the report in if you intend on fighting it. If not, you might get questioned in court over why you hadn't reported it etc.

It can only help to have a police report number, and it shouldn't take up much of your or their time for it to be done.

Rodp · 13-06-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cant

Thanks guys, didnt do the Vic police thing, originally didnt think it was worth it as i didnt have any real damage (been back out for a look at the trailer) wasnt much of a shunt, just enough of a tap that i freaked.

Wont go the cops, they have better things and real crims to deal with, but will be nominating to go to court to fight it.

It's what they're there for. If you don't lodge a police report and provide details of the other driver and the accident, how would you expect a court to believe your story?

FPV GT40 · 13-06-2009, 09:34 PM

Have you actually received a fine??

Were both cars in the intersection when the flash went off??

And I do not quite understand why you went into the intersection when you were stopping, and where was the other car at the time??

You should have reported it to police, takes about 10 minutes to do, and if the photo shows his vehicle not only will peanut get a fine for the red light, but also for 'fail to stop at the scene of a motor vehicle accident' as well as 'neg drive' or 'follow too close to stop safely' ticket.

Hopefully it will be enough to have him think about his on the road behaviour while catching the bus or train.

SVD · 13-06-2009, 09:37 PM

fight that for sure! there is no real reason they can appose it, you did the safe thing by moving the cars away from the rest of traffic, thats the way i look at it.

alter_EGOXR · 13-06-2009, 10:59 PM

report to the cops ASAP..tell them exactly what happened...you should be able to get off this fine, if they catch the ...and as for the bastard, i hope he gets slapped with a hefty repair job...good work on building a solid trailer :P

Trendseeker · 13-06-2009, 11:10 PM

I think you should request a copy of the red light camera photograph before you go to court. If there is no sign of the other car in the photo, how well do you think your story will sound when you stand up and say a driver hit the rear of your trailer, left no damage, drove away, you didn't see his rego number and you didn't report it to the police? Reporting it to the police doesn't take up much of their time; you're the one who has to fill in the form.

XA-Coupe · 14-06-2009, 08:17 PM

There is no police form for 'some knob made me run a red light'. What you can do is wait and see what happens. Not all cameras work all the time and it's possible there may be influences that invalidate the photo and you never see it.
Make notes now. Make notes of everything you saw, felt and did. Should you receive the fine, get a solicitor and don't try this for yourself.
Either that or pay it.

Trendseeker · 14-06-2009, 10:11 PM

I think there is a police form for reporting an accident which shunts you into the intersection. Paying the fine might be cheaper than the other option.

XA-Coupe · 14-06-2009, 10:21 PM

There is an accident form, it's going to be short in this case. No damage, no rego, nothing really.
I think there will be 2 cars in the picture, if he does get the fine he will be most likely able to identify the other car.
The real moral of the story is that any camry on the road is a warning sign in itself. The Volvo of the recession.

LTDHO · 15-06-2009, 08:54 AM

Ha ha ha ha @ going to the police!!! That's funny stufff. You guys crack me up. Thanks

CANT as you said they have better things to do and a police report will mean 2/5 of jack in court. Anyone can lodge a police report and say what they will.

If you were hit and pushed into the intersection, then you have a case. If you were not pushed, then pay up and move on.

Mr. CVE · 15-06-2009, 09:10 AM

I would have a look at the photo, that may show you more of what happened. then you can decide if you have any sort of case or not.
They may have just picked your car from the pic.
you can go down there and view the photo for free.

shpeedie · 15-06-2009, 06:57 PM

i'd fight it for sure, no harm in trying to get off considering it was the stupid tools fault that hit you.