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

Liz3yy

A red light is there for a reason - I never jump them as you never know when a police car is lurking around the corner watching you

derrick

Tilt wrote: »

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

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.

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

You did, as you did not receive a ticket!

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.

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

You obviously don't.

.

RichardD1970

Tilt wrote: »

Well done the boys in Blue!



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

Fixed that for you

neilmcl

Bogtrotter wrote: »

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.

Perhaps you should have fought it. At the end of the day if the lights are faulty or aren't operating correctly (and this can be proved) then you have a defence. It's like being caught by a faulty speed camera or failing a faulty breathalyser.

Ich_2

I don't think these temporary lights are enforceable though as I think they'd need to be covered under the TRO for the road but I may be wrong.

As long as they are subject to a Temporary Traffic Light Permit from the Highway Authority they are completely legal and enforceable. They also have to be operated in accordance with that permit which may include manual control, timed control or vehicle detection.
Failure to do all this does render them being classed as a obstruction to the highway and as such the operator can be subject to fines.

I also thought that if you flash the traffic lights with full beam when approaching at speed, they more often change before you get to them if its quiet...

Urban Myth probably..

Certainly is an urban myth

RichardD1970

derrick wrote: »

You did, as you did not receive a ticket!

Being in the good old days, a good talking to by the police was not considered "getting away with it". It put the fear of God up me and I have never done it since!

You obviously don't.

Well, what can I say, I was young and foolish and have learnt the error of my ways.

mattyprice4004

Jesus, I can't believe this has been asked.

You know the answer, and should know better.

Tilt

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Fixed that for you

No you haven't. It should state Cyclists. I see them flouting the law where I live than any other road user. But yes, occasionally (but far less often) I see other road users breaking the law also.

buzi

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.

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

but thats the problem, anyone can jump on a bike and cycle on a road, why is it that all other road users must pass tests to travel on the roads but cyclists dont!!

RichardD1970

Tilt wrote: »

No you haven't. It should state Cyclists. I see them flouting the law where I live than any other road user. But yes, occasionally (but far less often) I see other road users breaking the law also.

Take a cyclist off his bike and put him in a car/van/lorry/bus or whatever and they will still have the same road sense (or lack of) and disregard for the rules of the road. The method of transport changes but not the user.