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How slick roads impact red-light camera tickets

On Behalf of | Jul 18, 2020 | Traffic Offenses Blog Post |

With the winter season quickly approaching, Virginia drivers can expect to have to brush up on their winter driving skills. Besides learning how to brake on snow- and ice-coated roads, motorists may also want to know how to navigate snowy and icy intersections when the light turns red. 

NBC4 Washington reported on what happens when drivers run red lights on account of slippery roads. The right conditions could help motorists determine if they should fight a red-light camera ticket.  

A case-by-case basis  

The first thing to know about traffic camera tickets and icy driving conditions is that police review infractions individually. If officers conclude that weather and driving conditions were sufficient to keep the driver from obeying traffic signals, they usually toss out the ticket. No matter if a ticket is tossed out, it is best that motorists always drive slowly during inclement weather, not only to avoid red-light camera tickets, but also to avoid collisions with other vehicles.  

Triggering the wrong sensor  

As reported by WTOP, there are instances where snowy roads are not plowed, forcing drivers to use “the wrong lane” to avoid an accident. When that happens, vehicles may trip the wrong camera sensor, resulting in a ticket. Even if law enforcement believes the maneuver to be a true violation, drivers can either fight their ticket or get a refund after paying a bad ticket and appeal fees.  

Consulting the video of the incident can work in the driver’s favor. Presenting an argument about making the best legal driving maneuver possible, despite straddling two different lanes and considering the driving conditions, could be enough to void a ticket.