This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Blog Post: A Lesson Learned from a Red Light Camera Violation

When you have a red light stop and don't think about changing lanes.

I learned a new traffic law today. It appears that about a half of dozen other Howard County citizens also learned the law when we appeared in District Court for red light camera violations.

Most of the violations occurred somewhere on Little Patuxent Parkway. Mine to be exact was Little Patuxent Parkway and Broken Land Parkway. I was in the outermost turning lane with a red left arrow when the picture was snapped. Camera shots also show me not turning, but changing lanes, going straight and proceeding through a green light.

You see I was in the wrong lane and didn't want to turn. I thought I could change lanes and proceeded through the light. At least a handful of other citizens thought the same thing too. However, it turns out we are all wrong. If you are in a lane that has a red light, you are required to stay in that lane and not change lanes and proceed through a green light.

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The red light camera violation was for $75. The judge reduced it to $50 and added the $22.50 court costs. In the end, I saved $2.50. While I am appreciative of the extra $2.50 in my pocket, I am glad to know that I learned that what I have probably done at least a handful of times is illegal.

I hope by reading this, it saves several people from red light camera violations. And a word to the wise, if you do go to court to fight the violation, you may end up paying $25-$50 more than had you just paid the violation in the first place. So drive safe and watch out for those turning lanes!

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?