Caught by a Red Light Camera in a Rental Car

Hello

Before I get scolded for running a red light and endangering all the cars out at 2AM, I understand it was my fault for being in such a hurry.

I was making a right turn on red, but didn't come to a complete stop because I saw that the light was turning red for the cross-traffic and that my light should turn green. I misjudged the timing, and turned right just before the light turned green and saw a flash.

I was in a rental car, and my understanding is that the rental company will eventually bill me the ticket. However, do I receive points on this violation? I believe Ive read that in rental car contracts, the rental company has the right to plead guilty for you and that you can't contest it. Furthermore, the time it takes to process and forward the ticket to me will have long past the deadline to contest it anyway.

Also, to complicate things, I am moving next month and I am afraid by the time the ticket is sent to me, I'll have moved out of my current place.

I don't mind paying the fine, but I want to know if this will indeed show up as a court violation, or will this be a "snitch ticket" issued by the private contractors who operate the red light cameras (that don't carry points)?

My big concern is the points here, and also what happens if I move before the ticket gets mailed to me?

Thanks in advance

Are we supposed to guess which State you're in?

Red light camera tickets carry no points. I would make it a priority to get the ticket paid ASAP. If you move before the ticket is mailed and they can't forward the ticket to your new address a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest for failure to pay the fine.

Red light cameras aren't run by independent contractors ether, they are run buy the municipality that there set up in, an independent contractor only installs and services the cameras.

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Quoting Who'sThatGuy

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Red light camera tickets carry no points.

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In California they do... I mainly depends on whether the rental agency will simply pay the fine and go chasing after the renter, OR whether they will complete the attached affidavit, mail it back to the issuing agency who will in turn, re-issue the citation in the renter's name.

This is a perfect example of why posters need to specify their state. "Who's That Guy", you may be correct, based upon where YOU live. However, there are, indeed states that assign points to photo enforcement tickets, just as there are places where the photo enforcement is handled ENTIRELY by private contractors (who receive a "cut" of the fines) -- the infamous "snitch" tickets.

So, before you post information that may or may not be applicable, why not wait until OP posts his/her state. Then, if it's a place you're familiar with, go for it. Otherwise, leave it for people who may be MORE acquainted with that state -- or do the research.

Barry

My mistake.

Im in Los Angeles CA. And, if it helps at all, the rental company is Enterprise.

I believe CA does indeed assign points...cah-rap. And I took traffic school back in January 2009, so I need to wait until June to take it again right?

Indeed, a conviction of CVC 21453(a) will result in the addition of 1 violation point to your driving record with the DMV.

First of all, let us assume that a citation will be issued (slight chance it might not... Who knows)!!

If it is, then the issuing agency has 15 days from the infraction date to mail out the initial citation to the registered owner on record. Enterprise receives it, checks their records, and while they can simply pay it and bill you/charge your credit card on file for the same amount, my guess is that they will simply complete the affidavit identifying you as the renter/driver at the time, at which time the issuing agency can reissue the citation in your name and mail a copy of the citation to your address on record with the DMV. This may take up to a month (depending on how long Enterprise takes to return the affidavit).

It would be in your best interest (not because you want to receive the citation, but because you don't want to NOT receive it -if it is re-issued in your name-) to change your address with the DMV ASAP...

Failing to appear/pay on this type of citation (a misdemeanor charge) can result in the addition of civil assessments in excess of $300 as well as a hold being placed on your driver's license. And a simple "I didn't get a copy of the citation because I failed to update my address in a timely manner" will not get you out of neither, the citation, nor the FTA.

By the way, the fine amount for a red light violation is approximately $446... So be prepared.

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Quoting 6i9

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I took traffic school back in January 2009, so I need to wait until June to take it again right?

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Traffic school eligibility works as follows:

The time difference between the violation date for citation #1 must be more the 18 months from the violation date for citation #2. So check the date you were cited the first time, add 18 months... to see if you're eligible!

Excellent information, That Guy! Thank you very much.

Perhaps I can try pleading with the Enterprise guy to just pay it and bill me the ticket fine rather than identify who I am via affidavit forms...

My last traffic violation that required traffic school occurred in Dec 2008, and I took the course in Jan 2009. However, I did receive a CVC22500 Basic Speed Law ticket in October 2009, and am currently contesting it via several extensions and Trial by Written Declaration. I am awaiting to hear the officer/courts response.

Does this citation in Oct 2009 reset the Traffic School Eligibility "countdown?" I have not been found guilty of it yet, and am praying that my TBWD results in a dismissed case. However, since you mention the eligiblity is dependent on violation dates and not traffic school completion, does that mean although my last traffic school was in Jan 2009, I won't be eligible until 18 months after Oct 2009's violation?

Also, it is my understanding that if I lose the CVC22500 ticket, any traffic school taken once I am eligible will only count towards that violation. The red light ticket point will still stand (given that Enterprise completes the affidavit procedure instead of simply billing me for the ticket)

Thanks again for your insight everyone.

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Quoting 6i9

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Perhaps I can try pleading with the Enterprise guy to just pay it and bill me the ticket fine rather than identify who I am via affidavit forms...

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I doubt it will work but its worth the try... It has been my experience with Enterprise (from a few years back) and assuming that they do in fact agree to simply paying the citation, that they will charge a "processing fee" in addition to the fine amount. In my case, it was a parking violation though. And their policies and procedures for that may vary from those for a moving violation.

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Quoting 6i9

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My last traffic violation that required traffic school occurred in Dec 2008, and I took the course in Jan 2009.

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December of 2008 thru April of 2010 is only 15 months. I am afraid you do not qualify for the "level 1" traffic school again. You may qualify for the "level 2" (AKA "2nd offender traffic school") -12 hours of classroom instructions, the violation/conviction is reported to the DMV and yet it appears on your driving record as a zero point violation (meaning your insurer may still find it on there)-. Check with the court to see if they offer that particular option.

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Quoting 6i9

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However, I did receive a CVC22500 Basic Speed Law ticket in October 2009, and am currently contesting it via several extensions and Trial by Written Declaration. I am awaiting to hear the officer/courts response.

Does this citation in Oct 2009 reset the Traffic School Eligibility "countdown?" I have not been found guilty of it yet, and am praying that my TBWD results in a dismissed case. However, since you mention the eligiblity is dependent on violation dates and not traffic school completion, does that mean although my last traffic school was in Jan 2009, I won't be eligible until 18 months after Oct 2009's violation?

Also, it is my understanding that if I lose the CVC22500 ticket, any traffic school taken once I am eligible will only count towards that violation. The red light ticket point will still stand (given that Enterprise completes the affidavit procedure instead of simply billing me for the ticket)

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You mean "22350" for the Basic Speed law... Irrelevant though. As I stated above, it does not seem that you are eligible but even if it had been 18 months between the December of '08 and this latest one, anything else that happens in between, (regardless of whether it is dismissed or ends with a "guilty" finding) and as long as you do not elect the traffic school option for it, does not effect your eligibility.

Good luck!

Thanks very much again, That Guy.

I will hopefully update this thread with good news in the coming weeks (months??)

Cheers

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Quoting 6i9

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Thanks very much again, That Guy.

I will hopefully update this thread with good news in the coming weeks (months??)

Cheers

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hello,

6i9, although i'm in the worst mood right now, i'm laughing at how similar our situations are. this morning i had a red light flash go off on me, and i was in a rental car. I also got a speeding ticket last october as well, and i'm los angeles.

so my question is, is the rental company required to give my information?

i was reading on another website that if it is a "snitch" ticket then they are not obligated to? will the rental company automatically get a snitch ticket since they know it wasn't the registered owner driving, or will they most likely be sent a real ticket?

and if there is a chance that it is a snitch ticket, can i ask the rental company (nicely) to not provide my information?

Wow, that is weird how are situations are so similar...scary even :eek:

Quick update, I returned the rental car this past Monday and asked the guy at Enterprise what my options were. He said usually Enterprise does indeed just forward the court my information. He gave me a number I could use to contact Enterprise's Citation handling department, but I haven't had the chance to call them, as I am overseas now.

I am going to try to contact them later in the week to see what can be done, but frankly I'm expecting the worst :(