Traffic School

About the only good news from my whole red light ticket experience is that I discovered online traffic school.

That's right, today's technology allows you to attend traffic school via the internet!

Sure, I had to pay another "admisinstrative fee" to the court to attend traffic school, but once that was received, they sent me instructions on how to attend traffic school -- online or in person.

Of course, I selected the online variety. Cost: $14.95.

No more sitting in a Junior High classroom at night listening at some asshole-recovering-alcoholic telling you how to drive! Hallelujah! Also, I was able to complete the "8 hour" online course in under two hours.

Okay, glad that's over.

The verdict

Today I received the verdict for my Trial by Written Declaration for my automated red light violation at the intersection of El Camino Real and Ravenswood Avenue in Menlo Park.

The verdict: Guilty.

That was it. No other explanation. No written testimony from the Menlo Park Police Department was provided to me.

What a rip-off! There was no trial here. They just checked a box saying I was guilty!

According to Ticket Assassin, I could file for a Trial de Novo (New Trial) and appear in person in the San Mateo County Court, but I think I've spent enough time on this. And there's no guarantee the verdict will be any different.

Looks like I'm out my $378.50. And I'll probably have to pay even more for Traffic School.

There's nothing I can't stand more than bullshit violations like this intended to line the City's coffers and not much else. It's just like the parking Nazis in San Francisco. It's all just a revenue scheme.

I don't know about you, but I'm not happy about the direction that society is going.

I think I'm about ready to move to Montana and build me a little cabin.