is it ok to jump a red when there are no cars or traffic around

neilmcl

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Did you need two threads about this?

Cause if he's going to write a troll thread he may as well get as much coverage as he can. It's funny how we always get an abundance of these sort of posts during the school holidays.

I suppose he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to speed through residential areas in the early hours of the morning.

muckybutt

either this thread is a wind up - or there are some incredably thick and irresponsible drivers out there.

RED means STOP - end of !....even if they are a temporary set. You are only allowed to go through a RED light if you are directed to go through by a uniformed police officer, if you have all the blue flashing lights and sirens behind you at a red trs then you still dont go through.

If folk cant understand that then get off the freaking road :mad:

Oh and have a read of http://www.motorlawyers.co.uk/offences/traffic_lights.htm some faq on there including temp traffic lights.

Happychappy

neilmcl wrote: »

Cause if he's going to write a troll thread he may as well get as much coverage as he can. It's funny how we always get an abundance of these sort of posts during the school holidays.

I suppose he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to speed through residential areas in the early hours of the morning.

But you can ? If there is no-one around, it's dark, deserted and you are the only person on the road, the Highway code and Road Traffic Act doesn't apply, it's called the "Why me" defence

RichardD1970

Tilt wrote: »

Only on a cycle can you get away with it apparently.

No you can't!

Many years ago I was cycling to work at 4.30am and turned left through a red light, no traffic anywhere that I saw, next thing I know I'm being pulled over by a police car and given a severe talking to.

Cyclists have to obey the same road laws as any one else.

yvonne13_2

I have seen this happen twice where a van drove through a red light, the second time there was some road works and the driver decided he didn't want to wait so he mounted the pavement and knocked someone down who just stepped out of the shop.

brat

Most traffic lights are designed to change to green on approach when it's quiet, so the waiting time is usually minimal. I cycle through a couple of traffic lights which change for me on approach, so I don't have to stop.

Our town has a set of lights whose electronics seem to get confused from time to time, and you can wait +2 minutes for them to change during the night. If a car creeps slowly and safely through these at 2am having waited and realised that they're playing up, they'll not get any grief from me.

Tilt

RichardD1970 wrote: »

No you can't!

Many years ago I was cycling to work at 4.30am and turned left through a red light, no traffic anywhere that I saw, next thing I know I'm being pulled over by a police car and given a severe talking to.

Well done the boys in Blue!

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Cyclists have to obey the same road laws as any one else.

Unfortunately most cyclists I see don't seem to know this.

Bogtrotter

I had this happen to me a few years back. Me and another chap behind me stopped at a red light in the early hours for 5 mins. Obviously traffic lights are stuck so I slowly turn left though the red light (followed by the chap behind). Unfortunately just at the wrong time as the rozzers appear from behind us resulting in me and the other chap behind being collared for failing to obey traffic lights.

Of course the moving vehicles make the logic of the traffic lights start to work again. Accepted a fixed penalty and 3 points.

Since then have vowed to obey lights and block traffic until an officer of the law turns up to sort it out. Had the chance a while ago when I came across jammed lights in rush hour. While the drivers in front filtered through I turned around because I was in a hurry... Maybe next time.

kazmeister

RED = Stop
ORANGE = Stop
GREEN = Go

Unless you can claim an exemption or are directed by a uniformed police officer or traffic warden (if they are still in existence, not a parking attendant)

cootuk

You could always contend that the lights weren't working..then you can proceed with caution as per a standard junction.

176

You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 36