Susan Johnson, whose 1984 Toyota Tercel quit running eight months ago and was sold to a wrecking yard for $50, has just gotten a PhotoCop ticket for it.
The ticket said her car was speeding through West Valley City on Jan. 10, going 47 mph in a 35 mph zone.Johnson believes someone must be using her old license plates, which were left on the car when she sold it.
According to Utah law, license plates are to be returned to the state Motor Vehicle Division when a car is sold. However, once the title has been signed and delivered to the new owner, the previous owner is no longer liable, according to the DMV.
Johnson was to appear in 5th Circuit Court in West Valley City to deal with the ticket. There, she will be allowed to see the photo and, she hopes, prove her innocence.
Photocop uses radar, a computer and a camera to snap pictures of speeders that show the car's license plate and the driver. "I hope it's not someone who looks like me," Johnson said.
Photo radar has become a controversy at the Legislature. On Monday, House members voted to limit the use of photo-radar to school zones only. Another bill would ban its use altogether.