I was returning home from work riding on my scooter. It was raining good (not heavy and not showers). My speed was between 50 to 55 Klm. I could not go slower as there are cars behind and I did not want to cause road rage to very slow speed. I came to a traffic light, which turned from green to yellow to red (Yellow to red took 4 seconds).
I braked to slow down. For who are not riders, braking on scooter/bike will take longer to stop than on sunny days so as not to slip and fall off [which I know from practical experience just a week or so before]. I braked and slowed down, and came to a full stop after I crossed the traffic light and just before the last white line on the road.
There is a red camera which I activated and took pictures of me. I received the traffic infringement notice and I called SDRO to ask what options I have. The representative saw the pictures and informed to request a review and hopefully, it will be deleted.
I did that and today I received the response which stated that the fine will stay. I called them again to see if I can talk to anyone. The answer was that final phase is to go to court.
One point to mention is that there was a car next to me. I stopped him after we crossed the traffic lights and I took his contact details so we can be witnesses to each other if we get fines. I contacted him. He did not receive any fines. His car was further than me, the front wheels were on the last white line on the road, and the front of the car crossed the last white line on the road. This is shown clearly in the pictures. there are two pictures taken with parts of a second difference. The second picture shows that my legs are on the ground flat. No rider puts his legs on the ground unless the bike is in a complete stop.
Notes:
-Two people on the same traffic lights (red light camera), one gets a fine while the other is not even noticed.
-The last picture shows that my feet are on the ground. Complete stop.
-Brake lights are on, they are visible.
-I was not able to brake stronger (for a shorter period) as I would slip.
-Comparing the pictures show that there is a little distance between them, less than a half a meter, while the other car on other side shows the distance travelled is 3 meters or more in the same time period.
The fine carries 3 demerit points and a $433 payment.
This is for sure for revenue purposes and not for safety, although the facts clearly show I did not cross the road and I stopped, while the car next to me did not get a fine. This shows there is no consideration for my safety, only the concern of getting my money.
I am thinking of contacting several or least one TV show to raise this as a revenue raising exercise and not a safety procedure.
I assure you that I never ever will cross a red light. Not because it carries a hefty fine, but because it is dangerous and I am at more risk.
I would like some feedback and comments on this: should I go to court directly by myself? Or should I hire a lawyer and then go to court? Should I contact the TV stations or not?
Thank you for your help and comments. I appreciate your prompt reply in order for me to take action.
I braked to slow down. For who are not riders, braking on scooter/bike will take longer to stop than on sunny days so as not to slip and fall off [which I know from practical experience just a week or so before]. I braked and slowed down, and came to a full stop after I crossed the traffic light and just before the last white line on the road.
There is a red camera which I activated and took pictures of me. I received the traffic infringement notice and I called SDRO to ask what options I have. The representative saw the pictures and informed to request a review and hopefully, it will be deleted.
I did that and today I received the response which stated that the fine will stay. I called them again to see if I can talk to anyone. The answer was that final phase is to go to court.
One point to mention is that there was a car next to me. I stopped him after we crossed the traffic lights and I took his contact details so we can be witnesses to each other if we get fines. I contacted him. He did not receive any fines. His car was further than me, the front wheels were on the last white line on the road, and the front of the car crossed the last white line on the road. This is shown clearly in the pictures. there are two pictures taken with parts of a second difference. The second picture shows that my legs are on the ground flat. No rider puts his legs on the ground unless the bike is in a complete stop.
Notes:
-Two people on the same traffic lights (red light camera), one gets a fine while the other is not even noticed.
-The last picture shows that my feet are on the ground. Complete stop.
-Brake lights are on, they are visible.
-I was not able to brake stronger (for a shorter period) as I would slip.
-Comparing the pictures show that there is a little distance between them, less than a half a meter, while the other car on other side shows the distance travelled is 3 meters or more in the same time period.
The fine carries 3 demerit points and a $433 payment.
This is for sure for revenue purposes and not for safety, although the facts clearly show I did not cross the road and I stopped, while the car next to me did not get a fine. This shows there is no consideration for my safety, only the concern of getting my money.
I am thinking of contacting several or least one TV show to raise this as a revenue raising exercise and not a safety procedure.
I assure you that I never ever will cross a red light. Not because it carries a hefty fine, but because it is dangerous and I am at more risk.
I would like some feedback and comments on this: should I go to court directly by myself? Or should I hire a lawyer and then go to court? Should I contact the TV stations or not?
Thank you for your help and comments. I appreciate your prompt reply in order for me to take action.
