Jumping a red light

curly04

The other morning on the way to work I have been done for jumping a red light

Thing is, it wasn't safe to stop and I would have been in an accident if I had

the road is a 40mph road

Going a long lights green the approching the junction very close.
The car infront realizes that they want to turn and slam the brakes on. I slow and they set off, light starting to go to amber.

Car behind me wasn't slowing quick enough I would have had to do an emergencny stop to stop and I would have ended up in the middle of a busy juntions and if I hadn't set off again he would have hit me, and in the split second the lights were amber so I went

Now the notice says I was doing 20mph. which I would have been a lot less then 40mph

Now when i passed my test in 1995the highway code stated (and I am going to check the wording for now)
If it is not safe to stop and it is safe to continue, then continue. I've never had a fault accident or any points as I keep to the law of the road.

Do I have a case to fight this or should i just accept it?

peter_the_piper

I suggest that a post on this on pepipoo.com would get more legal advice than on here.They are used to this sort of thing.

Coblcris

If any part of the vehicle crosses the line when the lights are on red the offence is complete.

Was this issued by way of a camera ?

thisuseridistakenagain

The highway code always says do XYZ 'unless told otherwise by road markings or signs' so i don't think you can choose to ignore a light as you will never be able to provide evidence of the situation.

If its a flexible fine, you might well be able to lower it by explaining the situation but i dont think you have much hope of getting it ignored altogether.....sorry.

curly04

Coblcris wrote: »

If any part of the vehicle crosses the line when the lights are on red the offence is complete.

Was this issued by way of a camera ?

yeah a police fixed camera

I accept I jumped the red light

but it was for safety reasons didn't want someone going into the back of me!

Coblcris

There is a three second amber period.

The offence is complete in my opinion.

taffy056

if you appeal this or any other such offence, can they increase your fine and penalty if it fails?

Coblcris

If it goes to court you will pay more, Costs plus 'victim surcharge'.
I would pay the minimum possible and put it behind me.

Without being critical some increased planning and observation when driving may lessen the possibility of a repeat.

anewman

If someone goes into the back of you it's their fault and hopefully they're insured.

There is also of course the intriguing debate about whether you can go through a red light to let an ambulance past. There was a case once where someone did this and got a ticket, he let it go to court certain that having done a good deed he couldn't be charged for it. Sadly he was charged for going through a red light despite having done so in a safe manner in order to let an ambulance past. Yet I have seen ambulance drivers on the TV in real-life recordings moaning and shouting are people blind when someone won't go through the red lights for them. I was in a similar situation recently and was unable to get out of the way without going through a red light, luckily after a few seconds the lights changed.

anewman

Coblcris wrote: »

There is a three second amber period.

At 40mph a car will travel 54 metres in 3 seconds. Stopping distance at 40mph is quoted to be 36 metres including thinking time. That gives 18 metres leeway (1 second at 40mph). As you mention though driving is all about observation, planning, looking ahead and anticipation. Think about things like has the pedestrian pressed the button, have the lights not changed recently? - if so they might change soon.

Spartacus_Mills

anewman wrote: »

If someone goes into the back of you it's their fault and hopefully they're insured.

There is also of course the intriguing debate about whether you can go through a red light to let an ambulance past. There was a case once where someone did this and got a ticket, he let it go to court certain that having done a good deed he couldn't be charged for it. Sadly he was charged for going through a red light despite having done so in a safe manner in order to let an ambulance past. Yet I have seen ambulance drivers on the TV in real-life recordings moaning and shouting are people blind when someone won't go through the red lights for them. I was in a similar situation recently and was unable to get out of the way without going through a red light, luckily after a few seconds the lights changed.

I had a similar situation, in a 30 zone with cameras and an ambulance behind me. I did not raise my speed. I stuck to the limit. The ambulance had to wait. Fortunately it was not for too long.