Things to do when you are fined by a speeding camera

[froot]

Shouldnt the procedures be in place before something like this gets implemented?

I think it's more a case of they haven't told us what the "rules" are, while the Metro will know what it is.

Can I get the fine reduced if I'm a student?

Lol. Getting a fine reduced is all about what you say/do/act/respond.
I've never seen a "but I'm a poor student" line work.

 

[WPD]

I've never seen a "but I'm a poor student" line work.

Used it many times with great success I kinda got the feeling that they just rubber stamped a 50% discount on any fine that they received a written representation for. Or maybe I was just lucky.

 

[froot]

Used it many times with great success I kinda got the feeling that they just rubber stamped a 50% discount on any fine that they received a written representation for. Or maybe I was just lucky.

Maybe if they stop you and say "the fine is xxx" and you ask nicely... they told me (ages ago) "the fine is R200" ... "student blah blah" and they said "ok fine, R100".... as it was, my fine was only supposed to be R100.

 

[Pooky]

Well is there any other way?

It's a R250 fine for doing 102 in an 80 zone.

 

[froot]

Well is there any other way?

It's a R250 fine for doing 102 in an 80 zone.

You could try going slower?

 

[Pooky]

You could try going slower?

There is a 100 speed limit sign and then literally 100 meters down the road is an 80 one, and then around 200 meters after that (now going down a hill) is the camera...

 

[froot]

There is a 100 speed limit sign and then literally 100 meters down the road is an 80 one, and then around 200 meters after that (now going down a hill) is the camera...

...which is totally legit. You should learn to drive slower, or in this case, slow down in time.

 

[TheRush]

So I sent a letter to the prosecutor - the letter was delivered and signed for but I never received a response. What should I do? It was a fine issued in person. I have not paid it yet (since I appealed it), but I have no idea how to check what has happened. Has it been reduced/scrapped/remained the same. Help?

 

[froot]

So I sent a letter to the prosecutor - the letter was delivered and signed for but I never received a response. What should I do? It was a fine issued in person. I have not paid it yet (since I appealed it), but I have no idea how to check what has happened. Has it been reduced/scrapped/remained the same. Help?

Aren't you supposed to go appeal in person?

 

[ToxicBunny]

...which is totally legit. You should learn to drive slower, or in this case, slow down in time.

Actually not legit in the slightest...

If a speed trap is within 300m of a speed change sign its not valid, as per their own damn regulations.

 

[ToxicBunny]

There is a 100 speed limit sign and then literally 100 meters down the road is an 80 one, and then around 200 meters after that (now going down a hill) is the camera...

Let me guess, between Pioneer and Village road at the top of Fields Hill.

There are 2 reasons why this fine is not valid. Its within 300m of a speed change sign, AND they're trapping off a bridge which was ruled an unstable platform for trapping from.

 

[TheRush]

So I sent a letter to the prosecutor - the letter was delivered and signed for but I never received a response. What should I do? It was a fine issued in person. I have not paid it yet (since I appealed it), but I have no idea how to check what has happened. Has it been reduced/scrapped/remained the same. Help?

Aren't you supposed to go appeal in person?

If its before the court date you may submit a written appeal... AFAIK

 

[froot]

Actually not legit in the slightest...

If a speed trap is within 300m of a speed change sign its not valid, as per their own damn regulations.

Okay 300m then. Thought it was 200m.

 

[d7e7r7]

3. Check that you were not changing lanes on the photo
(The guidelines state that such a photo is not valid)

So if I know there's a known fixed camera at a certain point along the road I can just drive in between two lanes, while speeding, while going through the camera and not get fined?

 

[snail]

Photo assessment checklist
1. Obtain a photo of your traffic offence from payfine.co.za or viewfines.co.za (use your traffic fine file number and vehicle registration number or your id number.)
2. Your photo is available free of charge. Do not be fooled by the authorities
into paying for it.
3 Check that the photo image of your car has the following

Checklist
1. First, of course ensure that it is your car in the photo.
(There are numerous cases of false license plates being applied to
cars and this can happen to you as well, if so, call up the authorities
immediately on the number that should be on the fine to inform
them of the situation.)

2. Check that the photo only has your car in it.
(There should not be any other cars in the photo, this introduces
doubt as to whether it is your car that was speeding)

3. Check that you were not changing lanes on the photo
(The guidelines state that such a photo is not valid)

4. Check that the range which should be written on the photo is not more than 400m

5. Image has the way photo was captured, time, speed of vehicle and date of transgression embedded in the photo and not separately written elsewhere

6. There are no obstructions such as road barriers, trees or signs between the camera and your vehicle

7. Aiming cross on the image is on vehicle registration plate or between rear lights, also if there is no aiming cross it is not admissible in court. In the case of red light offences there must be two images, one of you entering the red light and one leaving, if not there is no case against you

All well and good stating all of this, but where exactly do these regulations come from. Imagine going before a judge and stating all this and the judge turns around and says.....fine Mr x......substantiate your claim. I can't go and point to this forum, so where are all these regulations stipulated.

 

[GarethC]

PROSECUTING GUIDELINES FOR SPEED MEASURING EQUIPMENT [SME] AND
TRAFFIC LIGHT VIOLATION MONITORING EQUIPMENT [TLVME]

Prepared by the Technical Committee for Standards and Procedures for Traffic Control and Traffic Control Equipment [ TCSP] , January 2006

Arrive Alive, can be found in various other places too.

 

[seanyp00h]

Usually visiting the public Prosecutor will get you a 50% discount. You have to fill in a form and write why you cannot pay the full amount/think you are not guilty/etc. They usually don't bother reading it and just give you a 50% discount

 

[droplet]

Lol. Getting a fine reduced is all about what you say/do/act/respond.
I've never seen a "but I'm a poor student" line work.

worked just fine for me. R250 reduced to R20.

 

[carstensdj]

Alternatively you can wait until you have a Summons and then go to one of the courts and have it reduced by half...

When ever i get a fine, i wait for the summons, go to Wynberg Magistrates Court or Cape Town City Hall. A guy/woman will see you and sometimes they ask why you got the fine... Regardless of what you say they will reduce it by half. I have even gone there on 3 occasions and not been asked a thing. The guy just asks for your fine, then reduces it, stamps it and tells you to go pay at Counter X,Y,Z...

Obviously if you can get it squashed, that is the best way out. However, if you cant, just go this route. I've honestly done it about 10times and it's worked EVERY time i've done it. And dont get confused with "Going to court and waiting all day.." That is not the case with these situations. I think the longest i ever waited was 30mins...

 

[Sinbad]

Not in areas where AARTO is in force.