Photo by Dave Dugdale
Joann Gibson, an elderly resident of East Cleveland, Ohio, received two speeding tickets for driving 27 mph in a 20 mph zone, with a fine of $105. While her car may have been moving 27 mph, Mrs. Gibson was not in fact behind the wheel. Furthermore, no one was behind the wheel of Mrs. Gibson’s minivan at the time of the alleged speeding infraction.
Her car was being towed at the time of the alleged traffic offense. An automated traffic camera system failed to recognize this pertinent fact and issued the ticket based on the towed vehicle’s plate.
Despite presenting evidence to the police, she was directed to the third-party company managing the camera for the city. Following local news coverage, the President of the City Council, Twon Billings, is advocating for the ticket to be dismissed as well as for the removal of the traffic camera which continues to operate despite a Council vote to remove it. The camera is located in an economically disadvantaged area and is perceived as a revenue-generating tool rather than a deterrent.
Mrs. Gibson encourages drivers to scrutinize their tickets and to push back against unfair charges. Mrs. Gibson is concerned that even if the fine is dropped her insurance rates might be impacted.