Driving Stuff

[tamaranth]

I just went through a red light (the sort that spring up around roadworks) -- as did the driver in front of me and the driver behind me. I didn't see any warning sign indicating temp. traffic lights or roadworks, and it was a busy intersection. (I'd have caused an accident if I'd stopped when I noticed the red light.) Do they hang draw and quarter for this? Or what?

There was a bright light that may have been a camera or may have been someone flashing headlights at one of us to indicate that we were Daft.

Comments

[lj_stowaway]

Flogging for a first offense, I believe.

Second offense: transportation. (omg I crack myself up)

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

I've never seen camera for temporary lights, so I'd guess it was someone flashing you.

The normal penalty is a £60 fine and 3 penalty points. If you don't hear anything within two weeks, you've probably got nothing to worry about, although I appreciate this isn't the most reassuring thing to say!

[jhaelan.livejournal.com]

Aye, having suffered exactly the same fate it's a case of "if you want to contest this, take it to court"

[palatinate.livejournal.com]

Also, if it was a camera then normally (a) it would have flashed from behind you, not in front of you (not clear from your post which it was but since you wonder about flashing headlights I'm assuming it may have been the latter) and (b) there would be two flashes separated by a few tenths of a second.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

there would be two flashes separated by a few tenths of a second
I know that's the case for speed cameras, but is it also for red light cameras? Don't they just need to prove that you were across the line?

[palatinate.livejournal.com]

Still usually two I think - see here (http://www.stvincent.ac.uk/Resources/Physics/Speed/road/redlt.html), for instance. They still need to demonstrate the speed at which you crossed the light.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Fair enough - it's only happened to me once, and I was too busy swearing to catch the nuances ...

[pennski.livejournal.com]

If it would have been dangerous to stop, then I believe you are justified in not stopping.