By, Aaron Adelson
aadelson@kcautv.com
twitter: @aadelsonkcau
Getting a red light ticket is bad enough, but getting one while driving on the interstate? That has happened to about 500 people now.
The speed camera caught them driving too fast on the interstate, but due to a clerical error they were sent a red light camera ticket instead of a speeding ticket.
Should they still be fined?
Michael Evans got the surprise in the mail that no one wants, a ticket for running a red light in Sioux City.
When he looked at the video of his offense he was confused to say the least, because his pickup is clearly on the interstate.
He alerted the police about the mistake, and they sent out a letter of apology to about 500 people who also received the wrong type of ticket, but along with the apology came new tickets for speeding violations.
"If they're sending out incorrect violation notices, that say you did something that you didn't do, clearly, I think that's significant enough for this to have been waved," said Evans.
The police disagree.
"Because in one spot we didn't change the wording that the whole thing should be thrown out? No...There is no error when it comes to the fines that were imposed. They were the right fines for what had occurred. There is no error when it comes to the evidence," said Captain Melvin Williams, Sioux City Police Department.
Evans says he doesn't dispute that he was speeding, but says since his ticket for a non-existent red light violation includes the wording under penalty of perjury the following is correct, the whole thing should be thrown out.
"If they expect us to get it right, I think we should hold them accountable for getting it right as well," said Evans.
Evans also says the speed cameras are effective, and he learned his lesson, but he says if the police get a mulligan, then he wants one too.
