I was recently ticketed by a speed camera in Scottsdale, AZ for exceeding 65 (Was clocked at going 77). I'm at the point right now where I'm trying to decide if I should fight this or go to traffic school. The information I have is as follows:
Signs are required 300ft in front of the cameras.
In Scottsdale they have a 10mph speed buffer. In this case that would mean I could legally go 75 in a 65.
I found an Arizona law that states excessive speeds are considered to be 85 miles per hour.
The same gov site that talks about the 10mph buffer also states that the machines are off by +/- 1mph.
The method they use for capturing speed is two piezoelectric strips and an induction coil. I know the strips are for speed. My understanding of how the strips work is that they are simply a single circuit that is completed whenever pressure is applied. There is no way to know which lane triggered the strip, so I assume the coil is to detect lane. In doing my research I learned that these devices are only accurate up to 95% of the time when installed correctly and not worn out. The coils (and strips?) are also subject to electrical and magnetic interference from nearby sources. I have many sources (both gov and not) that point out these devices are prone to poor reliability.
A truck on my left actually hit the first piezo strip before I did. I then passed him and hit the second strip.
The questions I have are:
I've been told time and time again that a ticket has to be served in person and any mailed tickets are not valid unless I acknowledge them. I believe I found a law stating otherwise. Can anyone provide clarification?
I'm looking to claim that 1 to 2mph is within the margin of error for the technology, especially given the requirement of perfect installation for only 95% accuracy. The truck may have also skewed results one way or the other. I would also be stating that the truck seemed to be driving poorly, and I was trying to get in front of him to avoid a potential collision.
With the information I've provided (and I have sources for it all) does this seem like a reasonable argument?
I don't recall seeing any signs (There was construction prior to this camera). I need to go verify this, but it has been almost a month unfortunately. Would lack of proper signage be enough to get this thrown out?
My friend suggested filing two extensions in order to drag this out in the hopes that it's "forgotten". I don't believe that will work, but he swears it's worked for his brother two times. Is this a valid plan based in fact?
I've read highwayrobbery.net to the best of my ability (Holy crap that site needs some organization!). It suggested filing discovery requests to give myself a potential out later on (if they try to introduce different evidence, fail to meet the request). Can I do this after filing extensions?
Should I just forget fighting the ticket and pay to go to traffic school? I really don't want to plead guilty to this, but if it's the sanest route I will.
This is just a pic the camera took. I don't know if it's helpful. The video is much lower quality.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/221/imagevieweraspxcz8.jpg
Signs are required 300ft in front of the cameras.
In Scottsdale they have a 10mph speed buffer. In this case that would mean I could legally go 75 in a 65.
I found an Arizona law that states excessive speeds are considered to be 85 miles per hour.
The same gov site that talks about the 10mph buffer also states that the machines are off by +/- 1mph.
The method they use for capturing speed is two piezoelectric strips and an induction coil. I know the strips are for speed. My understanding of how the strips work is that they are simply a single circuit that is completed whenever pressure is applied. There is no way to know which lane triggered the strip, so I assume the coil is to detect lane. In doing my research I learned that these devices are only accurate up to 95% of the time when installed correctly and not worn out. The coils (and strips?) are also subject to electrical and magnetic interference from nearby sources. I have many sources (both gov and not) that point out these devices are prone to poor reliability.
A truck on my left actually hit the first piezo strip before I did. I then passed him and hit the second strip.
The questions I have are:
I've been told time and time again that a ticket has to be served in person and any mailed tickets are not valid unless I acknowledge them. I believe I found a law stating otherwise. Can anyone provide clarification?
I'm looking to claim that 1 to 2mph is within the margin of error for the technology, especially given the requirement of perfect installation for only 95% accuracy. The truck may have also skewed results one way or the other. I would also be stating that the truck seemed to be driving poorly, and I was trying to get in front of him to avoid a potential collision.
With the information I've provided (and I have sources for it all) does this seem like a reasonable argument?
I don't recall seeing any signs (There was construction prior to this camera). I need to go verify this, but it has been almost a month unfortunately. Would lack of proper signage be enough to get this thrown out?
My friend suggested filing two extensions in order to drag this out in the hopes that it's "forgotten". I don't believe that will work, but he swears it's worked for his brother two times. Is this a valid plan based in fact?
I've read highwayrobbery.net to the best of my ability (Holy crap that site needs some organization!). It suggested filing discovery requests to give myself a potential out later on (if they try to introduce different evidence, fail to meet the request). Can I do this after filing extensions?
Should I just forget fighting the ticket and pay to go to traffic school? I really don't want to plead guilty to this, but if it's the sanest route I will.
This is just a pic the camera took. I don't know if it's helpful. The video is much lower quality.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/221/imagevieweraspxcz8.jpg
Last edited: