Temporary Traffic Lights

Celtic_Shore

I am somewhat angry! I was approaching a long set of roadworks that has a convoy car you follow. As I came up to the lights there was a car about 20 yards in front of me and it was apparent the convoy car had already gone, there was nothing behind me, the lights were on green so I went through (somewhat slowly though as its a 10mph limit) When I got to the other end I could see the convoy car turning around to come back and was met by one of the workers madly waving his hands, I opened my window and was 'told' that I had driven through a red light, I assured him the light was on green as I went through (I made a point of checking as I was the only car at the lights at that time) he then said well it was red and the camera will have taken a photo of your numberplate and you will hear about it!

I certainly appreciate that there were workmen around and that its a safety issue but I am concerned that if there was a camera how on earth would I argue that the light was green??

rev_henry

Firstly I have never heard of a red light camera on temporary traffic lights.

Secondly such a camera would be wired up to the traffic light itself so wouldn't be activated if the lights were on green.

He was probably talking nonsense.

Stephen_Leak

rev_henry wrote: »

Firstly I have never heard of a red light camera on temporary traffic lights.

Secondly such a camera would be wired up to the traffic light itself so wouldn't be activated if the lights were on green.

He was probably talking nonsense.

I agree about cameras on temporary traffic lights. Yet. But, as more drivers comply with them, the authorities are going to have to find new locations for them, in order to maintain the revenue levels. Be afraid.

It also sounds to me as if the convoy car exceeded the speed limit.

I would recommend a letter of complaint to the contractors, and the local authority or Highways Agency, as appropriate.

neilmcl

Or just ignore what he said and get on with your life.

Stephen_Leak

neilmcl wrote: »

Or just ignore what he said and get on with your life.

A perfectly acceptable option, if you consider that the OP was the one in the wrong, and deserved to be threatened, abused, if not verbally assaulted. I don't. But to misquote Voltaire once again, I accept your right to do so.

real1314

Celtic_Shore wrote: »

I am somewhat angry! I was approaching a long set of roadworks that has a convoy car you follow. As I came up to the lights there was a car about 20 yards in front of me and it was apparent the convoy car had already gone, there was nothing behind me, the lights were on green so I went through (somewhat slowly though as its a 10mph limit) When I got to the other end I could see the convoy car turning around to come back and was met by one of the workers madly waving his hands, I opened my window and was 'told' that I had driven through a red light, I assured him the light was on green as I went through (I made a point of checking as I was the only car at the lights at that time) he then said well it was red and the camera will have taken a photo of your numberplate and you will hear about it!

I certainly appreciate that there were workmen around and that its a safety issue but I am concerned that if there was a camera how on earth would I argue that the light was green??

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

A perfectly acceptable option, if you consider that the OP was the one in the wrong, and deserved to be threatened, abused, if not verbally assaulted. I don't. But to misquote Voltaire once again, I accept your right to do so.

Where does the OP say they were "threatened, abused, if not verbally assaulted" ?

Er, are you going off on one or something? That's a bit scary really. :cool:

real1314

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

I agree about cameras on temporary traffic lights. Yet. But, as more drivers comply with them, the authorities are going to have to find new locations for them, in order to maintain the revenue levels. Be afraid.

It also sounds to me as if the convoy car exceeded the speed limit.

I would recommend a letter of complaint to the contractors, and the local authority or Highways Agency, as appropriate.

And why on earth do you see it as a negative that more and more drivers comply with red lights?

Do you think running red lights is ok?

You really need to get some education on the results that can occur from this sort of action. Or take your angry head off. :cool:

neilmcl

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

A perfectly acceptable option, if you consider that the OP was the one in the wrong, and deserved to be threatened, abused, if not verbally assaulted. I don't. But to misquote Voltaire once again, I accept your right to do so.

The point I was making is that there's no point for the OP to worrying about something that's unlikely to happen and certainly a complete waste of time and effort writing letters of complaint, unless that's the sort of thing that floats your boat. I'm guessing it is for you.

Stephen_Leak

real1314 wrote: »

And why on earth do you see it as a negative that more and more drivers comply with red lights?

Do you think running red lights is ok?

You really need to get some education on the results that can occur from this sort of action. Or take your angry head off. :cool:

These devices cost money to install and operate, and these costs have to be covered. As the level of compliance increases and the revenue falls, the operators are going to have to get more "inventive" to make up the shortfall.

I never said that running red lights is OK. Whilst a red light actually means "stop, unless to do so would cause an accident", it usually isn't. And, from the post the OP didn't run one. Yet, she was subjected to treatment that was, IMHO, tantamount to a verbal assault.

Gavin83

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

Yet, she was subjected to treatment that was, IMHO, tantamount to a verbal assault.

How is being told that you run a red light equal to verbal assault exactly? I honestly don't see what the worker did wrong, except to possibly be mistaken.

OP, if you do get anything through the post make sure you ask for evidence. There is always the possibility a worker would have reported you themselves but I think it's unlikely a camera exists.

Obukit

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

I never said that running red lights is OK. Whilst a red light actually means "stop, unless to do so would cause an accident", it usually isn't.

The only exception to a red light is for emergency vehicles. There is no exemption if you think jumping a red will prevent an accident - sounds like a way of talking yourself into DWDCA if questioned by the police.

There is an exemption on amber lights for a vehicle "so close to the stop line that it cannot safely be stopped without proceeding beyond the stop line", which may be what you are thinking of.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/regulation/36/made