Avoid Camera Tickets: Quick Tips For Safe Driving

Getting a ticket from a camera can be frustrating, especially when you feel like it's been issued unfairly. While there's no surefire way to avoid a ticket, there are some measures you can take to protect yourself. Firstly, it's important to understand the rules of the road and stick to them. Drive safely and be constantly aware of your surroundings to reduce your risk of getting a ticket. If you do receive a ticket, examine it carefully and determine if it's a legitimate ticket or a snitch ticket, which some states use to fish for information. You can also consider taking a traffic school or defensive driving course to reduce or eliminate your penalties. In some cases, you may be able to fight the ticket in court, but this can be a complex process that may require legal assistance.

Drive safely and defensively

Defensive driving is a type of driving behaviour that includes responding safely to other drivers on the road, pedestrians, weather changes, and other potential hazards. Defensive drivers remain alert and ready to anticipate changes to road and weather conditions, and always keep an eye out for other drivers and pedestrians.

Focus on the task at hand

Keep the radio volume low, and don't let passengers distract you. Avoid distractions such as conversations, the radio, your phone, or anything else that takes your attention away from driving. Put your phone and other distractions away and turn your radio down.

Expect other drivers to make mistakes

Part of being a defensive driver is not trusting that other drivers are paying attention, are not distracted, or know how to drive defensively. When approaching an intersection, always watch other drivers to make sure they come to a complete stop when they're supposed to before you proceed. Keep an eye on the vehicles around you in case they suddenly change lanes without signalling.

Follow the speed limit

Observe the speed limit and follow these laws. Driving at or below the legal speed limit allows drivers more time to respond to changes or potential hazards and helps to avoid accidents.

Take advantage of safety devices

Keep seat belts fastened at all times and always ensure airbags are in working order. Some vehicles offer other safety features that benefit defensive drivers, such as blind-spot monitors and lane assists.

Always buckle up

Proper seat belt use is critical. In one year, a reported 2,549 lives could've been saved if people had been wearing a seat belt. Seat belts reduce your risk of injury in a crash by 50%.

When in doubt, yield

Defensive drivers know to yield in uncertain situations. If you're unsure how to proceed in an intersection, or a traffic sign is not clearly visible, practice the defensive driving technique of yielding to uncertainty. Once you've determined it's safe, continue driving.

Use your blinkers

Use turn signals appropriately. When you're about to change lanes or turn, always turn your blinker on early enough to signal to other drivers what you're planning to do.

Let speeders pass

Don't feed into another driver's road rage by increasing your pace to interact with someone who's in a hurry. Prioritise your safety and the safety of your passengers and other drivers.

Keep a safe following distance

Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and avoid tailgating. Leave a buffer of 3-4 seconds or a couple of car lengths between you and the vehicle in front, whenever possible. This gives you more time to react if the driver ahead brakes suddenly.

Monitor your blind spots

Understand your own blind spots and stay out of other drivers' blind spots. While new cars have safety features like blind spot detection, not all vehicles on the road will have this feature.

Don't drive under the influence

A defensive driver never drives while under the influence of any substances or medication with drowsy side effects. Plan ahead for a designated driver if you'll be consuming liquor or other substances.

Know how to drive in different weather conditions

Defensive driving means knowing how to drive in all types of weather, including rain and snow. Know when and how to pull over to wait out severe weather. Braking times increase in heavy rain, so stay alert, keep extra distance between your vehicle and others, turn on your hazards, and slow down to avoid skidding.

Prepare for snowy weather

Make sure your car is ready for inclement weather in the winter. Having snow tires or newer all-weather tires is essential. Practice driving safely in snow and ice in parking lots before you try it on a busy road.

Maintain your vehicle

Regular oil changes and fluid checks can save you from surprise breakdowns. Check your tire pressure, lights, and signals regularly.

Check if it's a real ticket

If you've received a ticket in the mail, it's important to check whether it's a real ticket or a "snitch" ticket. Snitch tickets are fake tickets used in some states, including California, Arizona, and possibly others. These are sent out when the red light camera photos are unclear, and the recipient is not required to respond to them. However, the police department hopes that the recipient will respond and admit they were the driver, or name the person who was, so that a real ticket can be issued.

• Carefully read the document you received. In California, snitch tickets are required to say "Courtesy Notice: This Is Not A Ticket" at the top of the page.
• Check if the ticket instructs you not to contact the court, or if it's missing court contact information. This could be an indication that it's a snitch ticket.
• Look for the name of the court on the ticket, and the date by which you're required to respond. Real tickets should include this information.
• Check the ticket in your court's case lookup system. If you can't find it, it may be a real ticket that hasn't been filed with the court yet.
• Check your county court's website using your driver's license, vehicle plate, or citation number.
• Contact the traffic court in the county where the incident occurred if you haven't received a notice in the mail and can't find any information online.

Understand your state's laws

Understanding your state's laws is crucial if you want to avoid camera tickets. Each state has its own traffic laws, and while running a red light or stop sign is illegal everywhere, the use of cameras to enforce these laws varies. Some states allow the use of cameras for speed and red-light enforcement, while others prohibit or restrict their use. For example, Alabama permits speed cameras in specific jurisdictions, while Texas prohibits red-light and speeding traffic enforcement cameras.

It's important to know your rights as a driver. In some states, like Arizona and California, tickets issued by red-light cameras carry the same penalties as tickets from an officer, including fines and points on your driving record. In "owner responsibility" states, on the other hand, a red-light camera ticket is treated like a parking violation, with the registered owner of the vehicle responsible for paying a fine but no points on their license.

Additionally, be aware of the specific requirements for camera use in your state. For instance, in Arkansas, camera use is prohibited except in limited circumstances like school zones, railroad crossings, and highway work zones when a police officer is present. In Louisiana, traffic cameras for speed and red-light enforcement are permitted, but signs must be posted to warn drivers of their presence.

It's also worth noting that some states have taken a firm stance on the use of products designed to avoid traffic cameras. For example, California has made it illegal to use products that block license plate numbers or excessively tinted windows that obscure the driver's face. Violating these laws can result in fines, and in California, the fine for using a license plate-blocking product is $250, which is often more than the cost of the original traffic ticket.

To summarize, understanding your state's specific laws and regulations regarding traffic cameras and enforcement is essential for avoiding camera tickets. Be sure to research the laws in your state and stay informed about any updates or changes.

Challenge the ticket

If you've received a camera ticket, there are several steps you can take to challenge it. Firstly, examine the ticket and associated paperwork, verifying that all the information is accurate and complete. Contact the agency that issued the ticket to confirm its authenticity. Check your court date and understand that an arraignment is not a court hearing; it is when you will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or guilty with explanation.

On the day of your arraignment, appear in court and identify yourself, entering a plea of not guilty. This will result in a date being set for your court hearing. Visit the traffic court clerk, who will help with the necessary paperwork and provide further information about your defence. Ask the clerk how to "serve" the prosecutor with a "request for production", which requires them to provide you with a list of the evidence to be used against you. If this request is not met within a set number of days, your ticket may be dismissed.

Save all your paperwork, including copies of your written request and any evidence received in return. Examine the details and prepare explanations for each piece of evidence. Visit the scene of the incident and take detailed notes, including the timing of the traffic light. Justify your claims and arguments, knowing exactly what you will argue before entering the courtroom. Have a clear reason for your case to be dismissed.

Arrive at your hearing with all your evidence neatly arranged. Listen to the prosecutor present their case, taking notes on any discrepancies. You can then ask for the case to be dismissed on several grounds, including failure to receive a "request for production" within the specified time frame. Describe the event from your perspective, providing relevant details, and assert your claim. Present your evidence, reiterating and summarising your argument. Finally, wait for the verdict.

Take a traffic school course

If you've received a red light camera ticket, taking a traffic school course can be a good option to avoid getting points on your license and keep your insurance rates from increasing. In some cases, completing a course can even get your ticket penalties reduced or eliminated.

Traffic school courses teach you about your state's laws, techniques for defensive driving, and how to avoid accidents. This knowledge can help you become a safer driver and avoid getting tickets in the first place.

To be eligible for traffic school, you typically need to have a valid driver's license and a noncommercial vehicle. You also can't have attended traffic school in the last 18 months. If you're eligible, you'll need to pay a fee and sign up for the course. The DMV has a list of approved traffic schools to choose from.

Keep in mind that not all tickets are eligible for traffic school. For example, equipment offenses or alcohol-related offenses usually aren't eligible. If you're unsure about your eligibility, you can contact the court to find out.

Completing a traffic school course can help you avoid points on your driving record and the negative consequences that come with them, such as license suspension and increased insurance rates. So if you're looking to improve your driving skills and avoid camera tickets, enrolling in a traffic school course is a great option.

Frequently asked questions