It's Rape. Not Romance.
We’re gathering statistical data on Red Light and Speed Camera tickets from around the globe for everyone to see. We’re asking the tough questions and uncovering truths currently hidden behind 1000’s of closed doors. By contributing your statistical data, you’re helping create a platform that everyone can access. We will become a central repository that will provide its communities with consolidated information that is designed to paint the real picture. (This site is being developed live so all can see progress. Not everything works yet)
Governments, Municipalities and 3rd party partnerships are deliberately using manipulative and deceptive tactics as justifications to roll out these cash-grabbing schemes. Your hard-earned tax dollars are fueling a system designed to reach deeper into your pockets.
Automated Enforcement
Let us consider the unique nature of a red light or speed camera violation. In such cases, the 'accused' is not a person, but an inanimate object – the vehicle. The accuser is not an officer of the law but another inanimate object - the red light camera.
Guilt by Association
So, who is the real accused here? The vehicle registered to me, or the unidentified individual who was operating it? Without establishing the identity of the driver, are we not merely presuming guilt by association rather than evidence
Pffft! Legal Smeagle
Is it just to hold an individual accountable for an action they may not have committed, and cannot be proven to have committed? What legal principle is most valid? "Owner's liability charge" or “Presumption of Innocence until proven guilty
No demerit points. Easy fine payments. No accused. No complications. Low administrative costs, low risk. The entire system is designed to maximize fine revenue.
Red light camera tickets in Ontario do not result in demerit points or affect your driving record or insurance rates, as they are owner-liability charges and the drivers indentity is not required.
Owner Liability Charges
Like Parking Tickets Except
From the City of Sudbury Website "Red light camera tickets are similar to parking tickets and they are issued to the registered licence plate holder; these tickets are not attached to a driver's licence." Parking tickets.
Victim Surcharge
In Ontario red light camera tickets cost $325, Act ($260), a victim fine surcharge ($60), and applicable court costs ($5) .Parking tickets are not charge a victim surcharge so if Red light and speed cameras are like parking tickets why is this charged?
Your Honor, if it pleases the court….
I’d like to present a thought experiment. Let us consider the unique nature of a red light camera violation. In such cases, the ‘accused’ is not a person, but an inanimate object – the vehicle. The camera captures the license plate, not the person behind the wheel. We know a vehicle cannot choose. A vehicle acts under the control of a driver, a sentient being capable of making decisions.
So, who is the real accused here? The vehicle or the unidentified individual who was operating it? Without establishing the identity of the driver, are we not merely presuming guilt by association rather than evidence? Is it just to hold an individual accountable for an action they may not have committed, and cannot be proven to have committed?
Your Honor, in the spirit of fairness and the principles of justice, I implore the court to consider the distinction between the registered owner and the operator of the vehicle. Without the ability to identify and thus ‘accuse’ the operator, holding the owner liable seems to be an act of convenience rather than an act of justice.
Red light and Speed Cameras can capture a license plate in extreme weather and light conditions but magically not capture the driver? The technology exists. Why isn’t it used? Simple. It would complicate the collection of fine revenue.
Share you Freedom of Information Request
I have made several freedom of Information requests related to Red light cameras with the City of Greater Sudbury. I will share each one however one request in particular the city wants to charge me $1800 for.