Red light camera....red/Amber ?

Head_The_Ball

And yet another simple thread descends into a slanging match and acrimony. :rotfl:

Head_The_Ball

SC1991 wrote: »

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.

Red and Amber means prepare to move off when the light is Green.

Apart from being illegal and theoretically risking a fine and points, if you move off on Red Amber, you run the risk of colliding with an 'Amber Gambler' driving across your path who doesn't stop on Amber or even the early seconds of Red.

I'm sure many if not most of us do sometimes move off an Red Amber, but hopefully we only do it when we are sure the way is clear and that there isn't an Amber Gambler about to broadside us. Or a cop car watching. Or a camera.



Traffic light sequence.

Red traffic light: A vehicle must stop just behind the white stop line at traffic light.

Red and amber traffic lights: Also means stop but can prepare to go. A vehicle must not pass through the lights until the green light is illuminated.

Green traffic light: When the light turns green, you may proceed providing the way is clear.

Amber traffic light: When a single amber light is illuminated, you must prepare to stop just before the first white line. You may only proceed through an amber is you have just crossed the stop line as it changes or are too close to the stop line that stopping may cause an accident.

Joe_Horner

Boy it hurts me to agree with a post by someone with that signature ^^^ - although, it is quite amusing

Red & amber together is the time to put it back in gear, move onto the footbrake and (depending on the road) either release or prepare to release the hand brake.

By the time you've done that in good order, you should have just enough time to double check that no-one's jumping the opposing red before moving off as they turn to green.

almillar

I didn't believe I did it, which stated that the camera was in effect 0.5s after the light went red.

So about 3 seconds after you were meant to stop, when green went out and amber came on.

Red with amber means the same as red.

No, I think it means 'get ready' (but don't go yet). Are you one of the people I get stuck behind at green lights?

GingerBob_3

almillar wrote: »

So about 3 seconds after you were meant to stop, when green went out and amber came on.



No, I think it means 'get ready' (but don't go yet). Are you one of the people I get stuck behind at green lights?

When the light goes green, why doesn't the entire queue move off as one? In principle, there's no reason why not (assuming everyone can see the green light).

JP08

GingerBob wrote: »

When the light goes green, why doesn't the entire queue move off as one? In principle, there's no reason why not (assuming everyone can see the green light).

Maybe because it is a good idea to check that the car in front has moved too ? After all the driver in front might have stalled !

JP08

Though, thinking a little outside the box, can see something like "keep pace with the car in front at a safe distance whilst pulling away (subject to sensible acceleration and local speed limits)" being the next thing in the "driver aids" toybox.

Mercdriver

GingerBob wrote: »

This isn't Wikipedia you know. References are not required here. This is a discussion forum. As it happens this one is common sense really. It would be unworkable to have the revenue cameras going off on amber. It is generally well known that these cameras are activated only on red. No reference needed. You can, of course, provide a reference to the contrary, if you so wish.

So you think it is useful for the OP and others to have something that is no more reliable than the bloke down the Nag's head? Remember people are gambling on their licences on the basis of the advice they get here.

SC1991

Drove past the junction again tonight, made sure I waited for green cars in both other lanes went on red/Amber so it's either ok and the lights only trigger on red alone or a couple more people are getting 3 points and a fine !

Head_The_Ball

SC1991 wrote: »

Drove past the junction again tonight, made sure I waited for green cars in both other lanes went on red/Amber so it's either ok and the lights only trigger on red alone or a couple more people are getting 3 points and a fine !

That is their choice and their risk, you don't have to join them.

All that jumping the lights usually means is that the driver gets to the next set of traffic light or the next traffic queue 2 seconds earlier. Sometimes it results in an accident or a fine and license endorsement.

I'm not a 'holier than thou' driver. I am quite capable of putting my foot down rather than braking for an Amber. I have also been known to 'jump' the lights if it means getting ahead of a slower vehicle or lorry etc that would otherwise hold me up. But the years have taught me when it just isn't worth taking chances that bring no benefit.

I have seen too many cars race off on every Red Amber only for the slower cars to catch them up at the next lights, sometimes for many traffic lights in succession. All they are doing is burning fuel and taking more risks than necessary.