Code 21453a for running a red light

[OtoHNS]

Guys, I need some advice, any would be very helpful:

Location:
1. Fremont; going westbound on Auto Mall Parkway, turning a right onto Fremont blvd

Citation:
Code 21453a for running a red light

Situation:
1. Following a bunch of cars turning a right onto Fremont blvd.
2. I decided to take the right turn while light was still yellow travelling at 16 mph but yellow light turned to red light 0.87 seconds before I entered the intersection.
3. Got tagged by the camera with the fine of $381 and points on my record.
4. Note: this intersection is NOT a "no turn on red."
5. Completely clean driving record.
6. Was on the cell-phone with doctors in the Emergency room at Kaiser Fremont for an urgent consultation call and was hurrying to make it there.

My dilemma and question:

I feel like I will likely get penalized for not completely coming to a stop prior to turning right. But a fine of $381 seems heavy and I'm not sure if turning a right on a red light still qualifies for code 21453a. Ultimately, if I had a choice between paying a fine or going to traffic school vs having points on my record, I'd prefer not having any point on my record for purpose of keeping my insurance premiums low.

Considering the above circumstances, should I....
- just pay the bail and take the point?
- go to traffic school?
- fight the citation in person?
- fight the citation in the mail?

[Nick]

I can't give you any advice on what you should do from here, but I just wanted to clarify that turning right against a solid red without coming to a complete stop is just the same as blowing the intersection. The "No Right On Red" means you are not able to turn right on the red light, AFTER coming to a full and complete stop.

[Butch]

you were guilty by 0.87 seconds. I think only a no show by the officer if you decide to contest it would get you off. you did not stop as required.

Write a letter to the court explaining you deep regret and difficulty with the fine and whine alot and they may reduce the fine.

Yer prolly screwed in regards to the fact that this "point" will most greatly benefit your insurance company. Unless you do the traffic school thing. Online traffic school is pretty good. I have way too much experience with this.

[B-Cuz]

Urgency is understood, but by coming to the complete stop and continuing on would have cause you to be late to your consultation by about 30sec.

[OtoHNS]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

So if I show up in court with the purpose of trying to lower the fine (but not to plead innocence), am I still eligible for traffic school?

[motorman4life]

4. Note: this intersection is NOT a "no turn on red."
5. Completely clean driving record.

Considering the above circumstances, should I....
- just pay the bail and take the point?
- go to traffic school?
- fight the citation in person?
- fight the citation in the mail?
Most every intersection is a NO TURN ON RED (unless you stop first, check for a sign prohibiting the turn and ensure it is clear to proceed).
Your driving record does not change the nature or guilt of the violation.

You should have been advised on traffic school with your notice. If you were not, then you can contact the court and see if you can sign up for traffic school or if you would need to get it approved by a judge.

I don't see what good fighting the citation would do. Stopping is part of driving safely. You are not driving an emergency vehicle and you cannot run red lights to drive yourself to the hospital. Adding that you were distracted by a phone consultation, no matter how urgent.. does not excuse you from your responsibility to drive safely.

[Sidewalk]

Sorry, but I have to say something. How often do we as riders complain about drivers running redlights, talking on their cell phones, and being in a hurry to who knows where?

[OtoHNS]

Thanks for the advice. My assumption was that I would be held guilty under law. The purpose of including my clean driving record was not to imply nature of guilt, but rather included as it may affect possibility of traffic school. I should have included in the original post that mentioning the circumstance of me being on the phone was not to imply any special treatment under the law, but rather as a minor factor that an extremely sympathetic judge may possibly consider in reducing the fine while still holding me guilty of the charge.

Most every intersection is a NO TURN ON RED (unless you stop first, check for a sign prohibiting the turn and ensure it is clear to proceed).
Your driving record does not change the nature or guilt of the violation.

You should have been advised on traffic school with your notice. If you were not, then you can contact the court and see if you can sign up for traffic school or if you would need to get it approved by a judge.

I don't see what good fighting the citation would do. Stopping is part of driving safely. You are not driving an emergency vehicle and you cannot run red lights to drive yourself to the hospital. Adding that you were distracted by a phone consultation, no matter how urgent.. does not excuse you from your responsibility to drive safely.

[afm199]

You find a sympathetic judge he will help you out. You find a pissy one he will shaft you. Does that help?

[OtoHNS]

You find a sympathetic judge he will help you out. You find a pissy one he will shaft you. Does that help?

If you find a sympathetic judge, it will help, if you don't, it won't - a rather self-explanatory statement.

[DarkNinja75]

Curious: how does the camera know whether you stopped or not? If you were turning right on a red, came to a complete stop, and then went, can the camera tell the difference?

[OtoHNS]

At first, I was curious too. But the camera actually records a video clip of the intersection and records your speed in MPH.

The other question is, say you brake and come to a almost near stop (i.e. 1mph) but still take the turn. I understand that under the law, you would still be guilty of running the red light. But my question is how does the camera distinguish that?

Curious: how does the camera know whether you stopped or not? If you were turning right on a red, came to a complete stop, and then went, can the camera tell the difference?

[antarius]

At first, I was curious too. But the camera actually records a video clip of the intersection and records your speed in MPH.

The other question is, say you brake and come to a almost near stop (i.e. 1mph) but still take the turn. I understand that under the law, you would still be guilty of running the red light. But my question is how does the camera distinguish that?

Maybe it waits to see if you get to "0mph" prior to turning right at the light? If you don't, it knows you didn't stop and snaps a pic?

[NeverSubmit]

AFTER coming to a full and complete stop.

So I take it that in the Police Academy there is a Learning Domain that teaches that officers don't have to abide by this VC?

Very seldom to I see a patrol car or a Moto come to a complete stop as described in the DMV Drivers handbook.

Dont flame me here too, just pointing out the obvious.

[Sidewalk]

Dont flame me here too, just pointing out the obvious.How often do you see them on thier cell phone, speeding, without using turn signals?

Just because the cops do it doesn't give free license for everyone else. Though I wish more often officers would set the better example. At least use an ear piece!

[Junkie]

How often do you see them on thier cell phone, speeding, without using turn signals?

Just because the cops do it doesn't give free license for everyone else. Though I wish more often officers would set the better example. At least use an ear piece!2/3 for a Berkeley PD car today.


and yeah, I wonder how close to stopped you have to get for it to not ticket you for a right turn.

[NeverSubmit]

How often do you see them on thier cell phone, speeding, without using turn signals?


Do you really want me to answer that? lol

They know they can get away with it so they do it. If we know we can get away with doing 10 mph over the posted speed limit we will do it to... nature of being human

[CnDnMax]

How often do you see them on thier cell phone, speeding, without using turn signals?

you just described 95% of drivers :thumbup

[5MARY4]

I come to a stop at every (well almost) intersection with a red signal or stop sign. It helps me practice for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Z7ZHxVFBY

[NorCalBusa]

I come to a stop at every (well almost) intersection with a red signal or stop sign. It helps me practice for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Z7ZHxVFBY

That's just as cool every time I watch it. I think you need to incorporate wheelies in your drills. Ya never know...as my friend Andy puts it, "Wheelie for safety".:thumbup

[5MARY4]

BMW told us it would void the warranty:teeth

[Sidewalk]

you just described 95% of drivers :thumbupSo true :laughing