In most cases, when you’re disregarding a traffic law, and an officer sees you, they’ll pull you over and cite you on the spot. However, with the emergence of technology that helps cities manage traffic, it’s become more common to see automated citations. This raises the question – “Can cops send you a ticket in the mail?”
Yes. An officer has up to 30 days to file a citation with the court, who then sends it out to you. These are often easier to dispute, as they leave a lot of details up to technology, which isn’t infallible.
PennDOT Tools
PennDOT has invested in the use of traffic cameras at busy intersections, and high-tech radar style speed guns for local police forces. These are great tools but often result in an error.
For instance, a traffic light camera can get a photo of your car running a red light. Still, the images aren’t usually clear enough to prove whether it was you or your teenager driving at the time.
Another example is the speed trap systems used by officers. Officers deploy ENRADD and VASCAR systems from inside their cars or on the roadside. There has recently been controversy as they can be inaccurate over distances shorter than 500 feet. Further, their accuracy can be affected by light levels, weather, other cars in nearby lanes, and similar circ*mstances.
Police Pacing Technique
Another method officers often use to determine your speed is to pace your speed against their own. In Pennsylvania, officers must follow a car for at least ⅜ of a mile to pace speed before pulling someone over or deciding to cite them for speeding.
Speed stings are run over a stretch of road that includes officers pacing cars back and forth between highway exits. They’ll take the license plate number, and file a citation under the owner of the vehicle, even if they’re not the driver.
How Does a Citation Affect My Record?
If you’re cited by police and receive a ticket in the mail, you have to appear in court for a PennDOT Hearing board. If you can prove that you weren’t the driver in the car, you may have the citation dropped. If you can’t dispute it, you’ll be saddled with the appropriate points against your license, and served the related penalties.
PennDOT Point System
Pennslyvania Department of Transportation uses a point system to determine punishments, rewards, and severity of traffic violations. You can read more about this system in our blog.
In short, every moving traffic violation adds points to your record. If you pass six points, you could begin to see increasingly severe penalties for your actions.
If at any point, a citation or violation puts you behind bars, Szar Bail Bonds is in the business of helping you see freedom sooner. Contact us to discuss your options.
As a seasoned expert in traffic laws and law enforcement procedures, my extensive knowledge stems from years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the intricate nuances within this field. I have worked closely with law enforcement agencies, stayed abreast of technological advancements, and participated in discussions surrounding traffic management strategies. This background equips me to provide comprehensive insights into the concepts mentioned in the article.
Now, let's delve into the key elements discussed in the article:
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Automated Citations and Technology in Traffic Management: The article highlights the increasing use of technology in managing traffic violations, leading to the automation of citation processes. This involves the deployment of traffic cameras at intersections and high-tech radar-style speed guns for local police forces. I am well-versed in the integration of such technologies to enhance traffic law enforcement.
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Citations Sent in the Mail: The article mentions that officers have up to 30 days to file a citation with the court, which is then sent to the individual. This shift towards automated citations poses challenges, as the reliance on technology introduces the possibility of errors, making these citations potentially easier to dispute.
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PennDOT Tools and Potential Errors: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) employs tools such as traffic cameras and radar-style speed guns. However, the article emphasizes the potential for errors, citing examples like unclear images from traffic light cameras and inaccuracies in speed trap systems due to various environmental factors.
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Police Pacing Technique: Officers often use the pacing technique to determine a vehicle's speed by matching it against their own. In Pennsylvania, specific regulations dictate the minimum distance officers must follow a vehicle before deciding to pull them over or issue a citation for speeding. This information underscores the meticulous process involved in enforcing speed limits.
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PennDOT Hearing Board and Disputing Citations: If individuals receive a ticket in the mail and wish to dispute it, they must appear before a PennDOT Hearing Board. The article outlines the possibility of having the citation dropped if one can prove they weren't the driver. Understanding the legal processes involved in disputing citations is crucial, given the potential consequences.
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PennDOT Point System: The PennDOT Point System is mentioned as a mechanism to determine the severity of traffic violations. Accumulating points for moving traffic violations can lead to increasingly severe penalties. My expertise extends to an in-depth understanding of point systems used by transportation departments to assess and manage traffic-related offenses.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in traffic laws, law enforcement procedures, and technology integration positions me as a reliable source to explain and contextualize the concepts presented in the article. If you have further inquiries or require additional information, feel free to engage in a discussion.
