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Fixed Penalty Red Lights

I went through a set of lights on amber the other day, then i was pulled by an officer who said the lights were on red. I am convinced the lights were amber.

I am going to take the matter to court as I will lose my job if the 3 points are added to my license.

I asked at the police station about the "red light course" a friend told me about. where you dont get points ypu go on a course. I was told you can only go on the course if you get caught by a camera.

Does anyone know if i can ask for this course in court?
It seems to be a little disciminatory that you can have more choice if a camera flashes you, surley everyone should have the same choice.
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Comments

  • Woody._2
    Woody._2 Posts: 472 Forumite
    I went through a set of lights on amber the other day, then i was pulled by an officer who said the lights were on red. I am convinced the lights were amber.

    I am going to take the matter to court as I will lose my job if the 3 points are added to my license.

    I asked at the police station about the "red light course" a friend told me about. where you dont get points ypu go on a course. I was told you can only go on the course if you get caught by a camera.

    Does anyone know if i can ask for this course in court? No you can't.
    It seems to be a little disciminatory that you can have more choice if a camera flashes you, surley everyone should have the same choice.

    By going on a course your admitting that the light was red, yet you say it was amber, so why would you do that?

    I'd suggest the light may have been amber when you last looked so why did you continue?

    Can you say for sure what colour the light was when you crossed the stop line?
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Does the in car video in the police car show your car entering the intersection when the light is red or is it your word against the police officers?
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • Woody._2
    Woody._2 Posts: 472 Forumite
    HappyMJ wrote: »
    Does the in car video in the police car show your car entering the intersection when the light is red or is it your word against the police officers?

    The offence is complete when any part of the car crosses the stop line.;)
  • Apples2
    Apples2 Posts: 6,442 Forumite
    I am going to take the matter to court as I will lose my job if the 3 points are added to my license.

    Why do you continue to take such risks when you have amassed so many penalty points already, you are on your very last chance before losing both your license and job??

    It's difficult to have sympathy that this occurence should be voided as you will lose your job, but not all the other offences which led you to this point.
  • yvonne13_2
    yvonne13_2 Posts: 1,955 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I never go through an amber light even if the person behind is right under my a**e.

    Why did you take such a risk with police behind you?
    It's better to regret something I did do than to regret something that I didn’t. :EasterBun
  • Stigy
    Stigy Posts: 1,581 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Woody. wrote: »
    By going on a course your admitting that the light was red, yet you say it was amber, so why would you do that?

    I'd suggest the light may have been amber when you last looked so why did you continue?

    Can you say for sure what colour the light was when you crossed the stop line?
    You can ask for the course in court, in fact, the Magistrates might even suggest it!
  • TonyMMM
    TonyMMM Posts: 3,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Stigy wrote: »
    You can ask for the course in court, in fact, the Magistrates might even suggest it!

    Magistrates have no power to sentence you to a course, for speed or red lights. They are offered by police in some circumstances as an alternative to other penalties.

    Did the officer give you a Fixed Penalty Notice or say you would be reported for a summons ?
  • Stigy
    Stigy Posts: 1,581 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    TonyMMM wrote: »
    Magistrates have no power to sentence you to a course, for speed or red lights. They are offered by police in some circumstances as an alternative to other penalties.

    Did the officer give you a Fixed Penalty Notice or say you would be reported for a summons ?
    Fair enough....The reason I said this was because I was in court recently (not as a defendant), and saw a leaflet on this sort of thing, which clearly indicated that you could ask the Mags to consider a course at your own cost. I fail to see why a Magistrate would be powerless to order a course such as this one, when they have the power to order numerous other punishments.
  • Woody._2
    Woody._2 Posts: 472 Forumite
    Stigy wrote: »
    You can ask for the course in court, in fact, the Magistrates might even suggest it!

    Even with a not guilty plea?
  • Stigy
    Stigy Posts: 1,581 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Woody. wrote: »
    Even with a not guilty plea?
    Oh yeah, that my prove problematic.....:D
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