Red Light Camera News Fighting back against red-light camera
(Thanks to CameraFraud for the link)
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/ticketed-lady-fights-back
Fighting back against red-light camera
Woman gets ticket after she sold her car
Updated: Monday, 14 Nov 2011, 7:10 PM CST
Published : Monday, 14 Nov 2011, 5:47 PM CST
David Scott
KINGSLAND, Texas (KXAN) - The camera doesn't lie, or so goes the adage.
But don't tell that to Lillian Akers. The 76-year-old Kingland resident insists that the city of Austin's red-light camera is falsely accusing her of of a traffic violation -- one that could cost her $100. After having no luck convincing the bureaucracy that she's the victim of a mix-up, Akers contacted the KXAN Tipline.
KXAN Tipline: 512-703-5233
In May of 2008, Akers said she sold her Buick Roadmaster and immediately notified the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles of the transaction.
"He (the buyer) filled out his part, and I sent it to the state the next day," Akers said. "I thought everythiing was taken care of. I signed the title and gave it to him."
A year later -- a nasty surprise. The city of Austin sent her a ticket, along with a photo of her old Roadmaster running a red light. The date of the ticket was several months after she had sold the car.
Getting nowhere with a hearing officer, Akers got copies of her proof of sales notification from the state and sent them to municipal court.
"I never heard from them, never heard from them," she said, shaking her head. "Then I got another little card in the mail. At one point they said I was going to be arrested if I didn't pay the ticket."
Akers got new copies of the papers from the state, had them notarized and sent them by certified mail to the court.
A few months later she heard from a collection agency. When she explained her story to them, they told her they would get the court to back off.
No luck.
She recently got another ticket, again demanding she pay the $100 fine. She said she is done dealing with the court.
"Not unless they come arrest me," she said.
Akers said she is proud of her driving record, just one ticket in 59 years, for speeding. Asked if she was guilty on that one, she replied with a laugh.
"Yes. I was guilty. And I paid it," she said.
But this one is a matter of principle, and she's not paying.
"I could pay the $100 but it is not my ticket," she said. "That would be saying I'm guilty, and I'm not."
How to fight a red-light camera ticket
Here's what the DMV recommends for those who say they were wrongly ticketed by a red-light camers:
Fill out a vehicle transfer notification either online or through the mail within 30 days of the sale of your car. The DMV then becomes an advocate for you if your title is not transferred by the buyer-they will help waive any tickets or toll violations, etc. If it is after 30 days then person can still register the vehicle transfer notification but it is up to the seller to argue their own cases
Go with the buyer to the DMV to register the vehicle instead of just selling the vehicle from the meeting place.
Take the license plates at the time of the sale, which forces the buyer to get new plates and register the vehicle.
DMV staff said they will possibly help KXAN News get Akers' case cleared.
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