Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Photo Enforcement? part 2

This morning I drove out to the scene of where I got my ticket by camera described in the previous blog... the question being in regards to the school zone lights flashing...

The ticket had said that it was 10:31am and my thought had been that wasn't when school would be starting or ending, so seriously... would the lights be flashing? Well, to my surprise, the school zone lights did indeed begin to flash right at 10:30am, even though there was no school activity occuring at or near the school zone that I could detect! The video is what I captured just after the lights began flashing.

So is this Bellevue's way of making some money? Must be! Pretty smart for them, bad for all the drivers that passed, not heeding the 20mph speed limit when the lights are flashing!!

Thoughts?

Dub

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Photo Enforcement?

I have had my car for about a month now and have enjoyed the hell out of it. It's not new by any means, it's a 1997 Ford Escort Wagon, with transmission issues, but it gets me around and helps me with my needs. I got a great deal on it... and just yesterday signed the title transfer.

This afternoon, the previous owner called me and told me she had gotten a photo speeding ticket on NE 8th and 143rd in Bellevue for going 29 in a 20 zone. I thought that was crazy because on the day it was taken, I usually sleep because I work audit that night, but that particular day I was not working due to swapping days with a co-worker. Anyway, I just drove down where I was "speeding" to check this because it is normally 35 on NE 8th, and found that is a school zone and it is indeed 20 mph -- when the lights are flashing -- and is photo enforced. Well, I think I certainly would have noticed had the lights been flashing and obeyed the speed limit! So I think that this is one ticket I should contest. Even though the car was not technically in my name, I would take care of the $124 fine if I was sure that I had deliberately thought "screw the speed limit" and not cared if the school zone lights were flashing. But I seriously do not think that is the case, so now I will look into contesting this.

I take my driving privileges pretty seriously these days; if you knew me, you would understand what I mean by that and if you don't, trust me, I do (it's all in the book).

I will update you all as this plays out.

For any of you readers who have experiences with "photo-enforcement" or comments or issues, please feel free to share them! I would love to hear what you say and think! Thanks!

Dub

New Website

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to tell you the new website is up and running! It's got some information on my book and me, and gives links to here, and Amazon.com where my book can be purchased and also a couple of ways to contact me as well... so enjoy!

Dub