Going through a red light whilst on a driving lesson

LopezLopez

Hi there. My sister, who's currently taking driving lessons, went through a red light this morning whilst on her driving lesson. Is she likely to be penalised for this? Who's ultimately responsible, my sister, who wasn't paying attention, or the driving instructor, who clearly wasn't paying attention either?

Markyt

The form sent out asks for the driver to own up. On the plus side, very few of the red light cameras actually work, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Bendybops19

Hmmm i would say, that as she is a Learner, it would be the instructor who is at fault. He haqd the ability to stop the car (if safely able to do so).

Anyway, there may not have even been a camera on the lights

One thing to think about - i would be concerned that your sister is taking lessons with someone who is not paying attention to her safety, or the safety of others.

xx

hjb123

How soon after it was red did she go through it?

celyn90

If it's a dual control car, I believe the instructor is technically in charge of the vehicle at all points and is responsible whether he/she is driving or in the passenger seat. If it isn't, then the driver is responsible as they are in control of the car. Not sure where you would stand as a learner though. As long as she was okay and noone's hurt though, that's the main thing.

LopezLopez

Yeah, nothing at all happened really, she went through the red light one or two seconds after it had gone red. The instructor does have a break on their side so they would have been able to stop the car, had they been paying attention. Maybe you're right, this is just a lesson learned for all involved and thank god nothing happened to anyone.

Techno

Little bro did this on his driving test!!!! For some reason the examiner failed him!!!

jovichick123

I wouldn't worry too much about this as long as she is in a dual controlled car it's really not her fault - IMO the instructor should have stopped her prior to her running the light, I did this on one of my earlier lessons and luckily was stopped in time. I would think that as the car is registered to the instructor - he/she is ultimately responsible.

thesaint

The driver is responsible, simple.

Agutka

I did this on my first driving test. And there was someone crossing! Their fault for putting a crossing in between a busy scary roundabout and a left turning, which was hidden - I was looking out for it at the time and completely missed the crossing. I wasn't aware there were cameras on lights .
Interesting though. Who is responsible for accidents at that stage? What if the learner is practicing in a normal car with, say, mum. That's probably why learners drive so slowly, can't do much harm then.

LopezLopez

Is there no one out there with legal knowledge who actually knows who would be responsible? I really want to know now.