My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California
I was stopped by an officer after going through an intersection, making a left turn, on a yellow light. He claims he saw me go through on a red light. CVC Section 21453(c).
I was behind a lady driving a SUV who was on her cell phone, maybe texting, since she was repeatedly glancing down as I passed her after going through the intersection). The light turned yellow as we headed into the intersection. Because she was not paying attention, she stalled and even braked. I still think I made it through before the light was red. I asked the officer if he saw the SUV driver in front of me on her phone, he said no. He said he thought she may have run the red light too. I regretfully did not ask him from which direction he was coming from, but I suspect he did not actually have a visual on my light signal. I was driving southbound, turning east. I estimate (from how long it took him to reach me and how the intersection lights cycle) he was coming northbound and turned east, so he was facing the back of my light signal (there is nothing on the back of the signal that shows what color is lit - I checked).
I went back to the intersection right after being cited and videotaped (with my cell phone since that was all I had) the light several times. I used my watch with a second hand and also the video shows a running time. It seems to be just below 3 seconds. I believe for CA, according to Cal Trans traffic manuals turn signals have to have a minimum 3 seconds yellow.
I have requested a Trial by Written Declaration. I would like to know how do I find traffic light maintenance information on a particular light/intersection. This was in the city of Walnut Creek. I don't know if the city keeps this information of if Cal Trans does. Do they even have records that test the times of these signals on a regular basis?
If I have to do another video tape, using a better camera and a stopwatch, is there a particular way to do this to submit as evidence for my TBD?
Any help would be appreciated!