Red Light Camera went off but hadn't crossed the line! Faulty camera??

misstheo

Hi All

I've been a lurker for a few years on MSE but haven't really ever posted anything. However I did a search on google regarding this matter and this forum came up so figured why not ask all you knowledgeable lot.

Basically I was driving to work 2 days ago and was approaching a set of traffic lights. I do this route all the time so i'm aware of the red light camera at this particular set of lights. The junction has three lanes that merges into two after the lights. I've seen the camera go off when i've been driving in the opposite direction but have never seen any offence because it is clear that all cars are either moving over a green light or completely stationary and it still goes off.

Bearing this in mind I was approaching the lights in the lane closet to the camera and my car was the first car to approach the white line. The lights turned red about a few seconds before I reached the lights so I stopped just before the white lane...roughly about 15-20 cms behind, the bonnet of my car was still behind the white line so I hadn't even touched it.

My foot was firmly on the brake and my car didn't even move an inch and the red light camera flashed...not just once but twice. I looked across at the other two lanes and both cars there had left almost a foot gap between their car and the white line.

Now forgive me for being paranoid but why the heck did the camera flash when no one actually went over the line? the camera is located behind the junction so I'm assuming it is for that junction!

Exactly the same thing happened to me today as well and even though it was daylight, i'm sure I saw a bluey flash light.

I swear I didn't even cross the line!! Will i still get a ticket? and does anyone know who I can report to about this faulty camera?

I'm sat here worrying I'll have not one but two red light tickets and I didn't even commit the offence!!:eek:

neilmcl

Why would you get a ticket, any picture would show you still behind the line surely.

vikingaero

If you didn't cross the line then there's nothing to worry about! Sounds like the camera was cycling it's flash or is faulty. Either way the picture taken will show that no-one crossed the line.

the_big_fact_hunt

it will show that you were stationary in both pictures and would be dismissed immediately

LeeSouthEast

Had exactly the same last year. Didn't hear anything. If you're behind the line, why the worry?

ali-t

OMG, I had no idea that traffic lights had cameras in them! Is that standard or just in some of them?

DaveF327

ali-t wrote: »

OMG, I had no idea that traffic lights had cameras in them! Is that standard or just in some of them?

Any reason why you sound so worried?

neilmcl

ali-t wrote: »

OMG, I had no idea that traffic lights had cameras in them! Is that standard or just in some of them?

They don't have cameras "in" then. Some, particularly on dangerous junctions, will have a camera, similar to a gatso speed camera, positioned alongside.

Radsteral

12 years ago when i first come to the country i was enyouing a ride on a warm july evening on my motorbike..

suddently i see 2 flashes hitting my mirror and it reminded me what my mate said '' you get causht prety easy in here''
So i thought the police will follow me right as soon as the camera snapped me..and i went flying..speeding like mad, turn left turn right.... for quite a while till i stopped.
No police on sight;) but it took me 4 hours to find my way home to highbury islington as i didnt know the area at all!
great stuff!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Did the lane you were in have an ASL (the green bit for cyclists)?

Bowling_4_Gold

Most new installations of red light cameras are the sort that can be used as a speed camera when the lights are green. Possibly you triggered the speeding part of the camera on your approach, but managed to stop in time?