idiot cop.

I'm American and know a bit about the laws, although Georgia may be different. Yellow lights last between 2.5-4 seconds depending on what their set at. Also - do contest it, and if the cop doesn't show up you win automatically. Another point to make is that in the great US of A the law has to provide the BURDEN OF PROOF (something a lot of other countries don't have to do.) They need to PROVE that more likely than not, you ran a red light. If they were past the light then it would be quite hard for them to prove BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT (50.1%) that you ran the red light.

I reckon if you show up to court and lay it out logically you'll be fine dude. How many days do you have to contest the ticket? Let us know how you get on.
 
Cybermyk said:
In the UK..



If a car has already gone through on amber ahead of you then you are definitely not supposed to follow.

'Don't be an amber gambler'
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well he did say if he had stopped the guy behind him would have rear ended him, so it sounds like he did the right thing, especially as the third guy also went through the light.
 
Clinkz said:
By your definition, the cop also broke the law.
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As you said, that is a direct quote from the highway code, not my definition.

The cop went through as the light changed, which is OK. The car following should have been at a safe distance and capable of stopping had the car in front suddenly stopped.

So following through the already amber lights after the cop meant he wasn't at a safe distance and he failed to stop for the lights.

The car after that was also very much in the wrong.
 
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Cybermyk said:
As you said, that is a direct quote from the highway code, not my definition.

The cop went through as the light changed, which is OK. The car following should have been at a safe distance and capable of stopping had the car in front suddenly stopped.

So following through the already amber lights after the cop meant he wasn't at a safe distance and he failed to stop for the lights.

The car after that was also very much in the wrong.
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but he may have been a safe distance from the cop, but the guy behind not a safe distance from him, so forced him across to avoid getting rear ended.
 
$loth said:
I think it would help if we had a description of the violation, as it's US law. Anybody know it, or where to get it?
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http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/gacode/40-6-20.html

(B) 'Recorded images' means images recorded by a traffic-control signal monitoring device:
(i) On:
(I) Two or more photographs;
(II) Two or more microphotographs;
(III) Two or more electronic images; or
(IV) Videotape; and
(ii) Showing a traffic-control signal displaying a CIRCULAR RED or RED ARROW signal along with the rear of a motor vehicle apparently operated in disregard or disobedience of such signal and, on at least one image or portion of tape, clearly revealing the number or other identifying designation of the license plate displayed on the motor vehicle.
(C) 'Traffic-control signal monitoring device' means a device with one or more motor vehicle sensors working in conjunction with a traffic-control signal to produce recorded images of motor vehicles being operated in disregard or disobedience of a CIRCULAR RED or RED ARROW signal.
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sounds like he's fine.
 
Also check what the road condition was; if wet/damp, your explanation of going through on amber because it would have been dangerous to brake sharply becomes stronger.
 
Hi everyone,

thank you for your help so far.

It was very cold outside so there was a high probability of ice or at least moisture, I was a reasonable distance for the police vehicle but the guy behind me all I could see were his head lights.

Will the police officer show up to my court date? I am going to opt for a no jury court as the other one will mean going to state court.

I will be taking my witness.

I have to show up on March 11th to "answer this charge"

Also, someone posted a definition of the law earlier, should I print that out as I don't think he had any pictures of me?
 
My brother was pulled over for speeding awhile back and knows for a fact he wasnt going as fast as the cop pegged him at (my brother ws doing bout 80 and the cop said over 100). Either way, my brother contested the ticket and the cop never showed up, so my brother got off.

Most cops dont have the time to show up to court for traffic offences of that magnitude and probably doesnt even remember the details surrounding it by the time the court date rolls around.
 
Stiff_Cookie said:
Most cops dont have the time to show up to court for traffic offences of that magnitude and probably doesnt even remember the details surrounding it by the time the court date rolls around.
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Exactly....i think something like only 25% of cops actually show up for the hearing...
 
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