Red light camera....red/Amber ?

SC1991

So I'm driving again after a few years break and am getting used to my new car and being on the road again and so I'm obviously a bit nervous. Anyway I was stopped at a red light and was next to a big Lorry in the next lane, being a little nervy about my road position and spacial awareness I wanted to get ahead of him to be safe. Anyway the light went red/amber and I started to move away.

I then had the sudden realisation of "oh s***" was I supposed to wait until green. I can't remember if the flash went off as I'm now in a bit of a panic about the situation. I know they do have cameras on these lights to stop people going through on red when it's busy.

Just wondered if it is deemed fine worthy moving away on Amber green as obviously the lights are mainly in place to stop people running the lights when they are totally red. I know that you can go through when the lights are Amber going to red if there's not enough time to stop but unsure about it being the other way round although it seems less serious to me.

Also if I have been ticketed does anyone know how much the fine is ? And will there be like a class to attend to avoid points as its my first offence ? Really hoping it's not a big deal though as I've only been driving again For about a week

Mercdriver

Red and amber means the same as red. Stop. You have to wait for green. If you cross the line on anything other than green then you commit an offence except in two circumstances - as directed by a police officer or in the case of a amber only you have a statutory defence if stopping would cause a danger to you or other road users.

You'll have to wait and see what comes in the post. How long will depend on whether you are the registered keeper for your car at DVLA. If you are then it's 14 days, otherwise it could take a while longer.

As far as courses are concerned these are at the discretion of the police force/local safety partnership and are usually offered to offenders within a set time after red. If you were snapped, the NIP will show a 'time after red' with yours it will be substantial amount of time after red seeing as the lights wee changing for you to go.

It's a waiting game - it may be a court visit but it should be a set 3 points but the fine will be above fixed penalty if they decide to take you to court. They may, see that you jumped the gun and have pity on you, but don't hold your breath as you have committed the offence.

hollie.weimeraner

Red light cameras are exactly that. They work on a loop whereby they are only activated when the red light alone is showing. Yes amber means stop but you cannot be prosecuted for going through an amber light.

rich13348

At almost every single set of lights I go through I see other road users drive off at a fantastic speed as soon as amber light shows. Don't think they all get done.

I've done it myself occasionally for same reason as you to get ahead of driver in the
other lane, however a lot of the lights in my area don't have red light capture.

SC1991

Guess I'll have to wait it out and pray out of curiosity do you think this would be a 3 point and £100 fine offence ? As I genuinely think anything more would be pretty harsh considering it would be a first offence and it was going to green in a couple of seconds at most.

prosaver

go back to thetraffic light in question and there has to be a sign b4 the lights saying theres a camera .if not, no fine.

was there a sign?

SC1991

Yes there was a sign unfortunately. I'm hoping the camera only triggers when the red light is on alone, but who knows I've read different accounts online from people saying nothing happened when they did it and others saying its a fine. doesn't really make sense having an Amber if you can't start moving away if it's clear. I mean if you were coasting up to a red light in neutral then it went red/Amber just before you would have to stop can't see why anyone would stop you'd just select second gear and go.

TonyMMM

There is no requirement at all for warning signs about cameras (for speed or red lights).

From what you describe you should have nothing to worry about.

AnotherJoe

What is it about "amber means stop" that's hard for you to understand??

Fat_Walt

AnotherJoe wrote: »

What is it about "amber means stop" that's hard for you to understand??

He did stop, but went when red and amber were showing before the lights got to green.

What's so hard for you to understand?

Fat_Walt

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

Red light cameras are exactly that. They work on a loop whereby they are only activated when the red light alone is showing. Yes amber means stop but you cannot be prosecuted for going through an amber light.

Do you drive? Because you don't seem to know the traffic light sequence.