A DRIVER who received a $50 speeding fine for going just 1 mph over the limit has accused police of being “petty”.
But he demanded a full refund when he realized they had made a huge mistake.
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William Restrepo was slapped with a ticket in the mail after being caught by speed cameras in Northern Virginia school zones.
But he was surprised to see it was clocked just one mile above the local speed limit.
“They clocked me at 36, and the speed limit is 35, so that’s a little petty to begin with,” he told the scene. WRC-TV, NBC affiliate.
It was later discovered that he was one of many drivers who incorrectly received speeding ticket notices last July while passing Key Middle School in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Restrepo received the ticket after a speed camera was triggered near the school in Springfield.
He was confused, however, when he remembered that no flashing 40km/h signs were on at the time he passed the school – he was fined in July.
Because schools were not in session during the summer, the cameras issued false speeding tickets, the broadcaster said.
“I realized that they should only work during school hours – [but] Who do I talk to?” added Restrepo.
TECHNOLOGICAL FAILURE
He told WRC that when classes are being held at the school, flashing 40km/h signs come on to alert passing motorists to slow down for students.
But his fine was for July 20 – when there was no school and therefore the normal 35mph road speed limit applied.
Restrepo said when he saw the speeding ticket he was charged with on the ticket, he suspected something was wrong.
So he contacted the broadcaster to complain and help get a refund from authorities.
He was right to suspect something, the station said, after investigating his and other drivers’ tickets.
The Fairfax County Police verified his complaint and admitted to the WRC that there was indeed a problem with the calibration of the flashing lights and speed cameras.
But the technical error also happened outside other schools.
For example, Key and Irving Middle Schools in Springfield and London Towne Elementary in Centreville.
TICKETS CANCELED
“We discovered that these Winkomatic lights were set up incorrectly (by the schools), so there were errors in the tickets at these locations.
“All tickets issued in error will be voided (and refunded if paid), and an administrative notice will be sent to all those affected,” the force said in a statement.
In August, the police department released a statement on Facebook acknowledging mistakes made in speeding tickets.
“We were informed that speed camera citations were issued at the Irving Middle School and London Towne Elementary School locations while the Winko-Matics (the flashing lights) were not in operation,” the statement said. declaration to read.
They marked me at 36 and it’s 35, so I thought, that’s a little petty to begin with.
An additional update of confirmed citations has been made for drivers outside of Key Middle School on the list of those to be reviewed, voided and/or refunded.
“The cameras correctly issued citations during summer school operations, but the Winko-Matics did not function properly,” the police department said.
“FCPD is currently reviewing citations at these locations to void and/or refund all citations that were issued due to the Winko-Matic error.
“If you believe you have received an invalid citation, there is no action you need to take.
“An administrative notice will be sent to you by mail to inform you of the refund or voided citation.”
PROCESSING FEE
Restrepo said he was eager to get his money back.
“And I hope to get the processing fee too, because there was the $50 plus the $5 processing fee,” he added.
Gary Steinberg and his wife Daphne of Fairfax County also received a speeding citation in July.
The couple noticed the presence of the camera and, convinced of their innocence, took a closer look at the quote – just like Restrepro.
Gary noticed in the photo of his vehicle that the school zone flashing lights were not on.
US Sun Online has reached out to the police department for further comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
