Update: In the comments below, "x" reminded me that red light cameras may be in trouble in N.C. A couple of days ago the N&R reported (read it while you can) on a case that is winding through the system involving where the money from these citations are supposed to go. As it stands now, SafeLight receives $35.00 of the $50.00 fine but state law stupulates that all money from such fines are to be handed over to the schools.
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I've mentioned my old blue '71 Ford a few times. Now that my '91 Saab is in the shop for what may be terminal engine failure, that truck is my sole means of transport until judgement is passed on my Swedish friend. I thought I would provide you a picture of what I'm driving - in fact... here's three:
For those of you who never seen one, the above picture was taken by SafeLight Piedmont, the red light camera folks, at an intersection in High Point. It clearly shows my old truck running a red light. Problem is - I wasn't driving. However, because no human being was involved in catching my truck running the stop light I now find myself deeply involved with "the law enforcement tool of the 21st century", which is touted as a, "functional and economical system designed to assist both law enforcment and the citizens they serve."
A man who occasionally does some work for me was in need of a truck back in February while his was getting worked on. I was pleased to offer him mine so he could finish a roofing job - so I know who was driving - and he readily admitted that he was at the wheel in this Notice of Citation, which was issued about a week after the violation was photographed.
The back of the citation provides an "Appeal Request" form. It directed me to fill out the form, get my signature notorized ( a hassle in itself - and not free) and send them $50.00 which would "constitute a bond", then wait for them to issue my friend a citation to get the matter taken care of so I could get my $50 back. That was way more effort than I wanted to exert since the violation had nothing to do with me so I called my friend and asked him to please handle it. I provided him with where to make the $50.00 payment.
On April 21 I received another notice from the fine folks at SafeLight which informed me that I now owed them $100.00 because my friend (now using the term lightly) had not paid the $50.00 fine. I called the number found on the back of the citation and left a message for them to call me back explaining my predicament. I provided them with the name of the driver of the truck, but told them I was unsure of his address. I called the driver and left him a message too. I went on to other things, but never heard back from either message.
Of course the wheels of "justice" just keep on turning and I received yet another notice from the City of High Point. Now we're down to threats of collections.
We all know there was a way to avoid all of this early on by filling out the Appeal Request, getting it notorized at some bank or used car lot, sending them $50 so they could issue a citation to the offending driver, then wait until all is resolved to get my money back. On the other hand, if a uniformed officer of the City of High Point had been on the scene instead of a camera, I would not have been inconvenienced in this way.
I just called SafeLight again for guidance because I have about one week to resolve this before they turn it over to collections. What would you do?
8:20:17 AM 
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