Let me start by saying I do not remember ever having a traffic ticket in my 50 years of personal and professional driving. That said here is what happened while driving through Alabama, the route I have taken many times before.I was in my Class A, pulling 4 down. A double trailer transport was ahead of me. We were both turning left. The light was green. I remained a safe distance behind him, his truck blocking my view of the left turn traffic signal for a few seconds (unfortunately I did not have the elevated view that the camera had of the left turn signal). During those seconds I was already in the intersection.Now my choice to be made in a split second was1)back up...not possible with a toad2)stop in the middle of the intersection and block everyone..nope3)continue the turn at a safe slow speed making sure the oncoming traffic did not start up....yes, I chose this.The turn was made safely before the oncoming traffic even started up and I continued on.Returning home to Ontario, Canada I found in my mail a week later, a red light ticket for $60. Pay it or go to court in Alabama.Anyone like to view this "violation"?www.violationinfo.comnotice # 2731300146816pin # 3569Needless to say I have no choice but to pay this. fyi we are 'surviving' on pension only and $60 is definitely a hardship.Sweet Winter Home Alabama....no more!

The old "if I'm in the intersection when the light turns I'm good to go" philosophy, eh? Never really a legal defense, and definitely no good anymore, what with red light cameras and all.Best approach, as always:Do NOT enter a light-controlled intersection until the next-up vehicle has cleared it, and especially don't if a vehicle is blocking your view of the light!

If $60 is a hardship, perhaps you should quit snowbirding. I also agree with the previous poster that you should not enter an intersection if your view of the traffic light is obstructed.

Sorry, the pictures say you're guilty.I know that's not what you wanted to hear but, there it is in full color.You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.Pay the fine and move on. Even if you go back for a hearing there isn't much you can do.Remember, the traffic light cameras are there for our safety.They are not used to increase the revenue of the municipality. :WI watched the video again. The light turned red before you rached the 'stop line' at the intersection.Pay the fine and forget about it.

Am I Guilty? I think not! | Good Sam Community

78 Replies

rvcruiser
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
HappyKayakers wrote:
If $60 is a hardship, perhaps you should quit snowbirding. I also agree with the previous poster that you should not enter an intersection if your view of the traffic light is obstructed.

We have no choice at the moment but to live in our motorhome and we have to 'go south'as cannot afford to stay in the winter and do not have a 'winter' type RV. Winter in Ontario would be $1000 to $1400 per month plus charges for 'winterizing'..this from experience!

Also, as I said the light was green when I started...yes I could have possibly slammed on the brakes and stopped when the view of the light was obstructed but I would have been in the intersection...a split second decision had to be made.
Just posted this as more of a warning to those travelling the roads. I feel my decision was the safest at the time and still do.
Altern
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
I'd probably just toss that ticket in the trash unless I planned on being in AL very much.
That said, 60 bucks is pretty cheap for running a red light. My first & only ticket was for same violation as you & it was 129.00 in AZ.
Community Alumni
Jul 22, 2013
No actually you need to have a clear vision of they traffic lights and traffic flow before beginning your turn. Ask me how I know this! :S
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
Sorry, the pictures say you're guilty.
I know that's not what you wanted to hear but, there it is in full color.
You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Pay the fine and move on. Even if you go back for a hearing there isn't much you can do.
Remember, the traffic light cameras are there for our safety.
They are not used to increase the revenue of the municipality. :W

I watched the video again. The light turned red before you rached the 'stop line' at the intersection.
Pay the fine and forget about it.
harold1946
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
Are you guilty? I think yes.
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2013
If $60 is a hardship, perhaps you should quit snowbirding. I also agree with the previous poster that you should not enter an intersection if your view of the traffic light is obstructed.
ecoast
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
^this. great advice
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
The old "if I'm in the intersection when the light turns I'm good to go" philosophy, eh? Never really a legal defense, and definitely no good anymore, what with red light cameras and all.

Best approach, as always:
Do NOT enter a light-controlled intersection until the next-up vehicle has cleared it, and especially don't if a vehicle is blocking your view of the light!

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Am I Guilty? I think not!

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