California FasTrak - from Costco

Ever been stuck in the toll lane with no cash?
Well, it is time you got yourself FasTrak.
Costco has an excellent deal - where you are paid $15 (effectively) to get one.
Absolute no brainer.
The reason I got this?
I was actually stuck in a toll lane with no cash. The toll both agent took my information down and I got a notice a month later for a $25 fine + the $5 toll. But guess what, getting a FasTrak would nullify the fine, as long as I used it to pay for the $5 deficit.
I got one quickly at Costco. Spent $30 and got a $45 FasTrak.
Have you seen a Win-Win situation as good as this? 
 



With all good things in life though, there is a price to pay (see below)

FasTrak toll system exposed, could use a serious dose of security

By Darren Murph posted August 7th 2008 6:39AM

Ah, Black Hat. How we adore you. Each year there's always one speaker who shows up and completely undermines something that most people assume is rock solid. This year, our pals at Hack-A-Day were in attendance to hear Nate Lawson expose California's FasTrak toll system for the security hole that it is. Essentially, toll transponders that are purchased and slapped onto vehicles offer up exactly no authentication, meaning that anyone with an ill will and an RFID reader could wander through a parking lot and lift all sorts of useful information. Think it can't get worse? The transponders reportedly support "unauthenticated over the air upgrading," which means that each tag could be forced to take on a new ID if the right equipment was present. We don't have to spell out "potential disaster" for you, now do we?

Trial by Written Declaration

Save time - avoid court appearances and file your appeal

If you get a moving violation ticket, one of the options is to "Trial by Declaration". This means you feel you are not guilty of the ticket and would like the judge to review the facts.

The form you need to fill out is a TR-205 located at the bottom of this post.

When you receive your courtesy notice, follow the instruction by selecting "Trial by Declaration". Include the bail amount and the form TR-205. If the courtesy notice does not mention "Trial by Declaration", don't worry this is sometimes normal. Just send the bail amount and the form TR-205.

This link suggest you say the following.

http://www.helpigotaticket.com/declar/declare.html

You do not need to say anything under "STATEMENT OF FACTS" other than, "I stand by my plea of not guilty." This is not being dishonest; you are innocent until you are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If the officer fails to submit his/her paperwork, the judge will have to dismiss your case and refund your bail.

How a smart phone can help you get out a traffic ticket
http://skattertech.com/2011/02/how-my-smart-phone-got-me-out-of-a-speeding-ticket-in-traffic-court/