There are few things more demoralizing than getting pulled over while driving. One of those things is receiving a notice of a traffic violation in the mail. It looks like your vehicle was snapped with the use of a photo radar camera. Let’s go through what it is, how it works, and how to fight a photo radar ticket if you get one.
What is a Photo Radar Camera?
You may have heard this device being referred to as a traffic enforcement camera or a red light camera. It is simply a device that is placed next to or above a traffic light or within an enforcement vehicle. The camera takes a picture when violations such as speeding, not stopping at a red light, or improperly using a bus lane are recorded. The camera may then be linked to an automated system that sends a ticket to the owner of the vehicle.
How Does a Photo Radar Ticket Differ From a Regular Ticket?
Tickets mailed out do not carry demerit points as they are sent to the vehicle owner and not to the driver who committed the offence. Therefore, pleading guilty and paying the fine will not earn you any demerit points but an experienced X-Copper representative can help fight the ticket to reduce your costs.
Which Provinces Utilize the Photo Radar System?
Photo radar cameras are in operation in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and mostly in Alberta. Ontario discontinued the use of photo radar cameras for speeding but red light cameras are still in operation. According to the Canadian Safety Council, the implementation of the cameras is not necessarily to catch and fine offenders, but rather to act as a kind of ‘Big Brother’, watching drivers and preventing from breaking the law in the first place.
How to Fight a Photo Radar Ticket
You could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, or it might not have even been you that was driving, regardless, your vehicle was caught on camera and now you’re faced with a ticket. Here are some helpful tips on how to fight it:
- Always choose the trial option. Too often people simply pay the fine, but choosing to go to trial oftentimes brings a reduced fine or even a chance of getting the ticket thrown out.
- Ask for a copy of the calibration records to be disclosed. Sometimes you can get lucky and the calibration will render the whole case invalid.
- Have a team of experts fight the ticket for you. With over 20 years of experience, X-Copper’s team of professionals will work with you to get the best possible results. Get your free quote today!
Are you faced with a speed trap ticket? Read our article on “What to do if you get caught in a speed trap.”
