Consequence of driving through a red light?

SeagullFTB

Car_54 said:

Three points is the maximum for the offence.

Thank you. She also works in childcare, so she is concerned that any possible conviction could jeopardise her job, as it would appear on her DBS check. Although driving is not part of her job at all. I think it's just paranoia.

Praying that the camera didn't actually pick her up!

Mildly_Miffed

There's a lesson for a new driver to learn from this.

If she does get a ticket, all she can do is either accept an FPN or plead guilty if it goes to court. Pay the fine, take the points.

Car_54

SeagullFTB said:

Car_54 said:

Three points is the maximum for the offence.

Thank you. She also works in childcare, so she is concerned that any possible conviction could jeopardise her job, as it would appear on her DBS check. Although driving is not part of her job at all. I think it's just paranoia.

Praying that the camera didn't actually pick her up!

It won't appear on a criminal record, so AIUI it won't show on a standard DBS, but it may on an enhanced one.

But I can't imagine any sensible employer caring one hoot.

SeagullFTB

@Car_54 I'm tagging you because you've been particularly helpful thus far.

I'm trying to my wife's and my own mind at ease, with the slight hope that the camera didn't active. And I have theory that you might be able to confirm has even a slight chance of being correct.

It's hard to see from the picture, but the road has 3 lanes going westbound. One lane for turning right only, one for straight ahead and the other for either left turn or straight ahead. Due to the pedestrian island, the right lane actually ends before the junction. This is why right turns go first, as they actually have the move into the central lane to go around the island and turn right. You mentioned earlier, that it's likely that all lanes are operated independently for triggering the red light camera.

My theory is that the lanes may actually be linked when triggering the camera, as any large vehicles turning right, such as a HGV, may need to give itself a slightly wider berth to manoeuvre. If the central lane red light sensors were active, it's possible that the HGV would inadvertently trigger the sensor when in fact, it is turning right as allowed. It's quite a main road in a commercial area, so many large trucks and delivery vehicles use the junction.

I know I'm probably clutching at straws here, but does that make any sense? And if so, it would be possible that the red light sensor would deactivate when the right turn lights went green. They would then reactive when the central and left lane lights went back to red. I'm coupling this with the fact that my wife didn't see any flash (although she wasn't looking for one) in the dead of night, and clinging to hope that the camera just didn't register.

Car_54

SeagullFTB said:

@Car_54 I'm tagging you because you've been particularly helpful thus far.

I'm trying to my wife's and my own mind at ease, with the slight hope that the camera didn't active. And I have theory that you might be able to confirm has even a slight chance of being correct.

It's hard to see from the picture, but the road has 3 lanes going westbound. One lane for turning right only, one for straight ahead and the other for either left turn or straight ahead. Due to the pedestrian island, the right lane actually ends before the junction. This is why right turns go first, as they actually have the move into the central lane to go around the island and turn right. You mentioned earlier, that it's likely that all lanes are operated independently for triggering the red light camera.

My theory is that the lanes may actually be linked when triggering the camera, as any large vehicles turning right, such as a HGV, may need to give itself a slightly wider berth to manoeuvre. If the central lane red light sensors were active, it's possible that the HGV would inadvertently trigger the sensor when in fact, it is turning right as allowed. It's quite a main road in a commercial area, so many large trucks and delivery vehicles use the junction.

I know I'm probably clutching at straws here, but does that make any sense? And if so, it would be possible that the red light sensor would deactivate when the right turn lights went green. They would then reactive when the central and left lane lights went back to red. I'm coupling this with the fact that my wife didn't see any flash (although she wasn't looking for one) in the dead of night, and clinging to hope that the camera just didn't register.

I really can't confirm or deny your theory.

What I can say with certainty is that you and your wife should stop agonising over this. First, you can do nothing to change what's happened. Second - and more importantly - this is not the crime of the century! It's a pretty minor traffic offence which probably happens hundreds of times a day. 

Pour yourself a glass of something nice, and relax!

EnPointe

Car_54 said:

SeagullFTB said:

Car_54 said:

Three points is the maximum for the offence.

Thank you. She also works in childcare, so she is concerned that any possible conviction could jeopardise her job, as it would appear on her DBS check. Although driving is not part of her job at all. I think it's just paranoia.

Praying that the camera didn't actually pick her up!

It won't appear on a criminal record, so AIUI it won't show on a standard DBS, but it may on an enhanced one.

But I can't imagine any sensible employer caring one hoot.

as she works in Childcare her DBS will be  an Enahnced , however ,  even  jobs in healthcare  that  involve  both driving and  require an enahnced DBS will often accept 3 or 6 points  depending on the offence codes 

greyteam1959

Stop panicking !!
What's done is done & can't be changed.

SeagullFTB

Two weeks have passed and we haven't received a NIP in the post. Hopefully we are in the clear.

Thank you everyone for your help.