police fine

shazrazmataz

Not too sure if I'm posting this in the right place but here goes, hubby went through an amber light & the police came out of nowhere & pulled him over, today we got the paperwork through the post with a huge fine of $360 Australian dollar (yes I'm in Oz) & points on his license, anyway, we we thinking of contesting this as he didn't go through a red light & to be honest he was doing the speed limit of 80kms & it would have been more dangerous to stop at that speed.

Just wondering if anyone has gone through the same thing & I really wanted some help in wording the contesting letter so I don't look stupid.

Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks guys.

McKneff

Sorry, I dont think he has a leg to stand on.

No one should be doing 80kms approaching traffic lights.

Amber means there is a red light on its way and he should have prepared for this well in advance.

You can try but i think it will be a foolish excercise.

fluffnutter

I think UK people might find it hard to comment on the nuances of Australian policing.

Optimist

Possibly something alone the lines of it being unsafe to stop owing to the car behind but having proof of that would be good.

Not sure if you mean contesting in court or if you have some sort of process you go through first in Aus, but if its in court generally the magistrate or the equivalent needs a lot of persuading that your in the right in such situations, plus you would be more than likely be liable for extra costs if (when) you loose

fluffnutter

Perhaps Aussie coppers accept handjobs in lieu of paying a fine. Like they do in Wales. At least that's what my friend says when she got stopped in Swansea. But she's full of it.

mynameisdave

No idea but couldnt help remember the NZ speeding ticket that was doing the rounds a few years ago

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=23681

Ste_C

Optimist wrote: »

Possibly something alone the lines of it being unsafe to stop owing to the car behind but having proof of that would be good.

The courts would just say that when approaching traffic lights you should be prepared to slow down anyway.

The speed limit is just that - a limit. It's not a target. If you're approaching lights you should be expecting them to change and easing off a little.

The OP doesn't have a case.

Optimist

Ste_C wrote: »

The courts would just say that when approaching traffic lights you should be prepared to slow down anyway.

The speed limit is just that - a limit. It's not a target. If you're approaching lights you should be expecting them to change and easing off a little.

The OP doesn't have a case.

I think you misread the original request and my response to it. I am not qualified to say what an Australian court would say. The OP asked for something to put in the letter contesting it, which is what she got.

For what it is worth there is always a point where it is safer to continue than slam on the brakes irrespective of being prepared to stop.

stugib

Sandoval wrote: »

Hence why you shouldn't be approaching traffic lights at 50 mph.

Frankly this is a rather elementary concept whether you're driving in Australia, Britain or anywhere else in the developed world that you'd care to mention. Common sense is the same the world over.

What you slow down every time you approach a traffic light just in case? Not sure even the Highway Code advises that!

Traffic light timings are usually set to be longer on faster roads so you do have time to stop so there shouldn't be need to do what you're suggesting.

Dave101t

in the uk, lights are rarely on 60mph+ roads but where they are...good judgement and common sense are advised. but this is aussie, and the pro's and con's of their law may differ slightly. cant think of any fros but deffo plenty of cons over there...

neilmcl

stugib wrote: »

What you slow down every time you approach a traffic light just in case? Not sure even the Highway Code advises that!

Traffic light timings are usually set to be longer on faster roads so you do have time to stop so there shouldn't be need to do what you're suggesting.

When approaching traffic lights or any junction or crossing you have to be prepared, and able to stop should the need require.