Speed Camera Question

[Anonymous]

My husband got two speeding camera tickets in DC (same crafty location). The car is registered in my name, so they came to me. I contested them and gave hubby's info.

What happens to unpaid speed camera tickets not attached to a license plate (so no boot)?

Will MD suspend his license?
Will he just have to pay the tickets when it's time to renew his MD license?
Will nothing happen?

Thanks for any advice.

BTW, 10 miles over the limit in DC=$125. In MD=$40.

[Anonymous]

What was the outcome of contesting them? Did DC agree it was husband's responsibility?

Generally in Maryland, if you don't pay the fee, you cannot renew your vehicle's registration. It's car specific, not driver specific. I have no idea if the two jurisdictions trade information, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, 10 miles over the limit in DC=$125. In MD=$40.

Don't worry, MD will raise their fines over time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was the outcome of contesting them? Did DC agree it was husband's responsibility?

Generally in Maryland, if you don't pay the fee, you cannot renew your vehicle's registration. It's car specific, not driver specific. I have no idea if the two jurisdictions trade information, though.

The tickets just came, so no word yet. I would be horrified if they continue to stick me with this! I would probably appeal and appear in person. A simple photo will show them it's not me.

My husband's information is not attached to our car for registration purposes. So, the only concern is his license. Will it get suspended by MD? Will MD make him pay?

[Anonymous]

Red light tickets usually do not come with points, just fines. They can't prove who is behind the wheel. The owner is liable for paying the fine -- it's up to them to collect from the driver the car was loaned to if that's what happened.

Now, if they report to the insurance company (or insurance companies troll the databases for violations), that's a different matter. It could raise your rates, again because it's the car being insured. My insurance company seems to have never found out about the one I got years ago -- never lost my "good driver discount".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Red light tickets usually do not come with points, just fines. They can't prove who is behind the wheel. The owner is liable for paying the fine -- it's up to them to collect from the driver the car was loaned to if that's what happened.

Now, if they report to the insurance company (or insurance companies troll the databases for violations), that's a different matter. It could raise your rates, again because it's the car being insured. My insurance company seems to have never found out about the one I got years ago -- never lost my "good driver discount".

This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Red light tickets usually do not come with points, just fines. They can't prove who is behind the wheel. The owner is liable for paying the fine -- it's up to them to collect from the driver the car was loaned to if that's what happened.

Now, if they report to the insurance company (or insurance companies troll the databases for violations), that's a different matter. It could raise your rates, again because it's the car being insured. My insurance company seems to have never found out about the one I got years ago -- never lost my "good driver discount".

This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

Don't worry about your license or insurance. This is just about the money. They will make it just about impossible to register your car and can send a collection agency after you. The government does not care if you run 100 red lights or get 100 speeding tickets so long as you pay up.

Camera fines are in a weird legal category, it's more of an administrative violation than a traffic safety matter. And, yes, the government puts the responsibility on the vehicle owner to pay the fine, no matter who is driving.

[Anonymous]

Is it the K street one? They just put that speed trap in and I've gotten 2 warnings already. I HATE that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Red light tickets usually do not come with points, just fines. They can't prove who is behind the wheel. The owner is liable for paying the fine -- it's up to them to collect from the driver the car was loaned to if that's what happened.

Now, if they report to the insurance company (or insurance companies troll the databases for violations), that's a different matter. It could raise your rates, again because it's the car being insured. My insurance company seems to have never found out about the one I got years ago -- never lost my "good driver discount".

This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

Don't worry about your license or insurance. This is just about the money. They will make it just about impossible to register your car and can send a collection agency after you. The government does not care if you run 100 red lights or get 100 speeding tickets so long as you pay up.

Camera fines are in a weird legal category, it's more of an administrative violation than a traffic safety matter. And, yes, the government puts the responsibility on the vehicle owner to pay the fine, no matter who is driving.

Wow..that is truly shitty. WTF??!!

[Anonymous]

OP, not sure if you're being dense as a way of making a point or simply because you don't get it: no they don't care who the driver is. The fines are assessed to the owner of the car irrespective of who was driving. Yes, you have to pay, and sending the DC government after your husband is a cute trick but unlikely to enable you to avoid paying the fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

Yes, it is correct. You loaned your car to your husband to drive. It is your responsibility to negotiate settlement of any fines accrued by someone you loaned your vehicle to. There are no points, so it doesn't affect the driver at all. Your car, your responsibility that it is operated in a safe manner. If you don't want that risk, don't loan the car to anyone, including your spouse.

I have to say that I am honestly astonished that you are raising this amount of objection to a speeding ticket that does not include any points, but only a fine that was given to your husband driving your car. You are the same household. The money will come out of your household money. Just pay the ticket. Why would you increase the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy in handling such a ticket by making the traffic office have to send out the ticket again to your husband at your same address when you could have just handed him the citation and told him to pay it. Mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, the fine and penalties are assess by vehicle, not driver. Who's driving doesn't matter because unless you reported the car stolen, it's assumed you gave the driver permission to operate the vehicle.

If any jurisdiction tied it to the driver, it would be a legislative nightmare and completely untenable. Everyone and their brother would be contesting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

Yes, it is correct. You loaned your car to your husband to drive. It is your responsibility to negotiate settlement of any fines accrued by someone you loaned your vehicle to. There are no points, so it doesn't affect the driver at all. Your car, your responsibility that it is operated in a safe manner. If you don't want that risk, don't loan the car to anyone, including your spouse.

I have to say that I am honestly astonished that you are raising this amount of objection to a speeding ticket that does not include any points, but only a fine that was given to your husband driving your car. You are the same household. The money will come out of your household money. Just pay the ticket. Why would you increase the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy in handling such a ticket by making the traffic office have to send out the ticket again to your husband at your same address when you could have just handed him the citation and told him to pay it. Mind boggling.

I assumed they were separated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, not sure if you're being dense as a way of making a point or simply because you don't get it: no they don't care who the driver is. The fines are assessed to the owner of the car irrespective of who was driving. Yes, you have to pay, and sending the DC government after your husband is a cute trick but unlikely to enable you to avoid paying the fine.

Did your bitchy post make you feel better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This was a speeding camera. Are you saying I'm responsible for paying even though I wasn't driving the car? Is that right? That can't be right.....right?!! Otherwise, why would they ask for the driver info when you contest the ticket?

Yes, it is correct. You loaned your car to your husband to drive. It is your responsibility to negotiate settlement of any fines accrued by someone you loaned your vehicle to. There are no points, so it doesn't affect the driver at all. Your car, your responsibility that it is operated in a safe manner. If you don't want that risk, don't loan the car to anyone, including your spouse.

I have to say that I am honestly astonished that you are raising this amount of objection to a speeding ticket that does not include any points, but only a fine that was given to your husband driving your car. You are the same household. The money will come out of your household money. Just pay the ticket. Why would you increase the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy in handling such a ticket by making the traffic office have to send out the ticket again to your husband at your same address when you could have just handed him the citation and told him to pay it. Mind boggling.

The two tickets are $325. Not exactly "on hand" within the required time to pay. So, I figured I'd let my husband deal with the tickets on his license rather than risking a boot for not being able to pay within the required time limit (which will cause the fines to double).