DON'T EVEN THINK OF ARGUING WITH NEW YORK CITY'S RED LIGHT CAMERAS

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Attorney)

Dear Readers, I'm going to show you something that I hope you never see again, except in this blawg. You see, I got me a ticket for running a red light. And I got my picture took. Or, more accurately, my car got its picture took.

Now, no one was injured or hurt. I had no accident. No lives were damaged or lost. I just got caught. Busted. No points have been added on to my license, like might happen if I was convicted of a moving violation; but I have paid a $50 fine. Because I think it's interesting, I want to share with you part of the enclosure that New York City sent to me with its Notice of Liability.

Here's what the City of New York sends:

Red Light Fact Sheet

"Legislation has been enacted to allow the City of New York to issue Notices Of Liability for red light violations based on images taken by an automated camera. The red light cameras are installed to deter motorists from committing red light violations. The enforcement of these violations has been given to the Department of Transportation.

The enclosed images were taken automatically by such a camera. The Red Light Camera is connected to a traffic light and is only active when the light is red, not when the light is green or yellow.

Vehicles crossing the stop line or entering the crosswalk after the light turns red are detected automatically. The camera takes two photographs, approximately one second apart. The images show the date and exact time of the violation as well as the number of seconds since the light had turned red. (Refer to Data Field explanation, below). A flash unit allows the camera-to operate at night as well as in daylight.

When a red light offense is photographed, the registrant is mailed a Notice of Liability along with one or more images showing the violation. The registrant is liable for a fine, currently of $50.00, but will not receive points on his or her driver's license.

Under the law, the registrant can be held liable even if he or she was not the driver if the car was photographed going through the red light.

The enclosed Notice of Liability describes the procedures for paying the fine or pleading not guilty and requesting a hearing. Please read all of the information carefully."

Then, on the page where the photos of my car are shown:

"Please take notice as the Registrant of the vehicle described below which was operated in violation of section 1111 (d) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law at the place, date and time below: because the driver did not stop for the red light at the stop line, or before entering the crosswalk, you are liable to pay a fine within 30 days of the date of this notice (NOL) for the amount shown herein pursuant to section 1111-a of the VTL, section 19-210 of the NYC Administrative Code and the Rules of the NYC Department of Finance. One or more photographs evidencing the violation are shown. Please see the reverse for further instructions."

The photographs of my car came out pretty good, so there is really no defense to these pictures. Particularly since New York's automobile license plates reflect light, so when photographed with a flash, your license plate practically stands up and waves hello to the camera.

Now in the interest of serving my version of the public good, I should tell you that there are websites that provide the locations of these red light cameras. If you're so inclined, check out http://www.photoenforced.com or http://wikidriving.com (look for: "Red Light Camera Locations"). Please remember to drive safely and with or without red light cameras, it's not a good idea to "eat" a red light.