PelhamToday received the following letter about Paytickets and the Automated Speed Enforcement System.
I was bad. I got a ticket in the zone. The Automated Speed Enforcement System.
Seems I was doing 53 in a 40. I didn't know it was a 40 zone but never mind that. The ticket was dated Dec. 5, I got the ticket Dec. 27. Feeling contrite, I tried to pay the ticket online. I couldn't. The ticket was not in the system. I'm mailing it in anyway since there is a 1.75 percent fee up to a maximum of $3 for paying online.
The stamp is cheaper in my case. The price of a stamp $0.92 vs. $1.48 online fee. Regional Councillor Diana Huson and Pelham Town Councillor Wayne Olson seem to be the local champions of this new system. I don't have an opinion about the goals of the system. I do about the fees and procedure to pay for being bad.
As mentioned, I was bad on Dec. 5. I got the ticket on Dec 27, 22 days later and it's still not in the Paytickets System. Paytickets is a joint RBC/Teranet effort.
The ticket was for $85, $65 of which was for being bad and $20 for victim fine surcharge and costs. As there was no victim that I'm aware of, I will assume the $15-portion is for just being bad and the victims of crime it is intended for can use it as they see fit. The last $5 fee on the ticket is for costs.
I read that a portion of Highway 20 through Fonthill is to be designated a Community Safety Zone, with increased fines.
To conclude: First, don't be bad, like I was. Second: It could be cheaper to mail in the fine. Third: The system is not time sensitive for online paying. Fourth: This will be a huge money-maker for all involved, especially on Highway 20 through Fonthill. What percentage of the 19,000 vehicles that travel through that stretch per day will be bad do you think?
Jim Pitt
Fonthill
