Slightly worried about crossing red traffic lights - I have mitigating circumstances in my favour

[BIGDOG]

There is not. However, at times if there is a mass of traffic on a main road/s/junctions at times the ones with nose-to-tail vehicles are allowed a lot more time and you can wait up to close to 3 - 4 mins

I've also had incidences on another section of the road about 2 miles down where the red light on my side is skipped a go as the crossing traffic is heavy and you have to wait a second time around chance on the green and that is around 4 mins IIRC

Call "101" as stated by an earlier post, all I can do at that is - I'm not sure if anyone tried to call 101, but itcan take yonks to get through and as a driver, you should be aware of the highway code and thankfully this element of it came to mind and common sense helped me. The post here was just to seek some support, feel good see what others thought and I've got that.

Calling 101 from the traffic lights is hilarious!

 

[fourwheels]

Sounds like you are relatively safe if there wasn’t a camera on the traffic lights.
On the other hand is there a period of time that once elapsed you can feel safe and free from prosecution?

 

[markjay]

Surely there isn't a traffic light in the land that takes more than 5 minutes to change?

The issue with these things is that you have a very short space of time to convince a magistrate that the traffic lights were faulty, and good luck getting it in writing from whatever authority that maintains these lights.

 

[markjay]

Sounds like you are relatively safe if there wasn’t a camera on the traffic lights....

How else can he be prosecuted? Even in the unlikely event that another motorist decides to send to the police the footage of him commiting the offence, the police force will have to be really not busy, and have lots of bored officers, in order to actually deal with it... Additionally, the footage will need to clearly show the car travelling and the red light, which realistically can only be taken from the car behind him....

 

[BTB 500]

Call "101" as stated by an earlier post, all I can do at that is - I'm not sure if anyone tried to call 101, but itcan take yonks to get through and as a driver, you should be aware of the highway code and thankfully this element of it came to mind and common sense helped me.

I've never personally called 101, but even if you didn't get through to someone the fact that you'd made the call would have been further evidence of your desire to act lawfully.

 

[oldguy57]

I've come across this twice recently and like most very reluctant to drive through a red light. One was on a roundabout (which I drive through every day) with 5 sets of lights. I must have waited over 5 minutes for the red light to change but it became obvious it was faulty so I drove through at the relevant time, couldn't turn round anyway because of a long traffic island. The second was at temporary lights on a 4 way system installed while the main lights were being repaired. Got to the point where there must have been 30 cars behind me and over a 10 minute wait although the last change worked perfectly. I was waived through by one of the engineers. Both times I was expecting a letter but nothing happened. In neither case would I have been able to prove that the lights were faulty.

 

[MSG2004]

I've never personally called 101, but even if you didn't get through to someone the fact that you'd made the call would have been further evidence of your desire to act lawfully.

It was you that said call "101" (I was merely giving a hypothetical response to how pointless this suggestion was hence the ) so what happened when you rang them? (ie how long did it take to get through and how long for the call handler to give you an answer and what advice did they give you?
Cheers.

 

[MSG2004]

I've come across this twice recently and like most very reluctant to drive through a red light. One was on a roundabout (which I drive through every day) with 5 sets of lights. I must have waited over 5 minutes for the red light to change but it became obvious it was faulty so I drove through at the relevant time, couldn't turn round anyway because of a long traffic island. The second was at temporary lights on a 4 way system installed while the main lights were being repaired. Got to the point where there must have been 30 cars behind me and over a 10 minute wait although the last change worked perfectly. I was waived through by one of the engineers. Both times I was expecting a letter but nothing happened. In neither case would I have been able to prove that the lights were faulty.

The problem arises when it is an intermittent fault. My example is/was an intermittent fault. Most of us here are aware that many cameras have
intelligent traffic flow readers and can adjust the traffic lights sequence. In my scenario, I could clearly see at least a couple of times that vehicles were parked up on both of the other traffic lights and there was no valid reason for my lights to be red. Even if a car/cars behind me videoed me going through extremely carefully, I would be able to prove my circumstances, their video would should me already parked up, then no traffic then trffic, and no traffic etc and I applied rule 176. To back this us I'd mention my driving record of a clean licence.

Like you said, it can catch people out and you was lucky that a joker behind you did not start blaring their horn. Thankfully no one sounded their horn at me nd when it has happened, I've made way for them to go through and they don't as I would always wait a reasonable time and only cross having determined the lights at that point were playing up and cross the lights with extra care.

 

[BTB 500]

It was you that said call "101" (I was merely giving a hypothetical response to how pointless this suggestion was hence the ) so what happened when you rang them? (ie how long did it take to get through and how long for the call handler to give you an answer and what advice did they give you?
Cheers.

My point was that simply showing you'd attempted to get advice before committing the offence would potentially have been useful (whether you actually managed to speak to someone or not - as stated I have no personal experience of using 101). But a quick Google just turned this up:



Seemingly not so pointless for that driver, who presumably then wasn't worried.

No comment about my other suggestion of grabbing a quick video to support your actions?

 

[MSG2004]

My point was that simply showing you'd attempted to get advice before committing the offence would potentially have been useful (whether you actually managed to speak to someone or not - as stated I have no personal experience of using 101). But a quick Google just turned this up:

View attachment 166316

Seemingly not so pointless for that driver, who presumably then wasn't worried.

No comment about my other suggestion of grabbing a quick video to support your actions?

Just in case your memory has evaded you and I quote.

A options! A quick hands-free call to 101 (the police non-emergency number) would perhaps have been the best action - they would likely have cleared you to go through and logged the issue.

 

[BTB 500]

Just in case your memory has evaded you and I quote.

I have absolutely no idea what you're trying to say there

To recap, I made two suggestions of things that could be done in a similar situation. First, recording a short video showing the issue in case you needed it later to support your actions. I don't think you made any comment on that. Second, a suggestion to call 101 first for advice, to which you responded:

Call "101" as stated by an earlier post, all I can do at that is

As mentioned it seems at least one person has previously done exactly that in the same situation, with good results. And if you can't get through then at least you have a call logged to that number, which shows good intent.

You may consider these ideas pointless/laughable/whatever, which is fine. But they're quick & easy things I'd consider doing, and perhaps others might too.

 

[DSM10000]

Hasn't this thread run it's course?

 

[del320]

Hasn't this thread run it's course?

Kinda losing the will to live...

What does the team think the correct action should be here?



It is for real!
Extra point if the location is identified...

 

[Dippo]

You should obey the signal on the left, which is the primary signal.

Traffic signals

www.gov.uk

In most cases, in addition to the primary signals at the stop line, there are duplicate signals, known as secondary signals, located on the opposite side of the junction. If the primary signal is not working, you must obey the secondary signal as if it were the primary signal.

 

[MSG2004]

I have absolutely no idea what you're trying to say there

You clearly stated I rang "101." I asked you to direct me to the posts where I had said that which of course I had not.

So I'm not sure what you are on about here.

Respond if you wish as I've nothing else to add.

 

[MSG2004]

You should obey the signal on the left, which is the primary signal.

Traffic signals

www.gov.uk

In most cases, in addition to the primary signals at the stop line, there are duplicate signals, known as secondary signals, located on the opposite side of the junction. If the primary signal is not working, you must obey the secondary signal as if it were the primary signal.

The STOP LINE is always the puka signal. Once you've crossed the solid white stop line, you can travel through the second signal even if it is red with extreme caution

There are many videos on this

AI Overview
Learn more

According to the Highway Code, if you cross the white line at a green light and the next light turns red while you are already past the stop line, you should continue through the junction as you are already committed and it is safe to do so; you are not required to stop even though the light is red.

Key points to remember:

• The stop line is the key:
  The rule applies because you have already crossed the white line (stop line) before the light changed to red.
  
  
• Safe driving is paramount:
  Always ensure it is safe to proceed, even if you are technically allowed to continue through the junction.
  
  
• Advanced stop lines:
  Some junctions have advanced stop lines for cyclists, so be aware of these markings and where you are required to stop.

 

[markjay]

Go to the bookies, explain the situation, and ask them what odds are they giving you if you take a short position against yourself and bet that you'll be prosecuted

 

[MSG2004]

Go to the bookies, explain the situation, and ask them what odds are they giving you if you take a short position against yourself and bet that you'll be prosecuted

I've just consulted 6 bookies even though I'm not a betting man but they all refused
and stated - the odds of that happening were on par with Nigel Farage being the next PM. I guess it could happen if NF joined Labour and Starmer
is kicked out by the end of the year as expected

 

[markjay]

I've just consulted 6 bookies even though I'm not a betting man but they all refused
and stated - the odds of that happening were on par with Nigel Farage being the next PM. I guess it could happen if NF joined Labour and Starmer
is kicked out by the end of the year as expected

If you can make this happen.... I'll happily pay your fine!

 

[MSG2004]

If you can make this happen.... I'll happily pay your fine!

Cheers, I get it. However, it's a matter of principle and I will not take it lying down and be ready to go to prison for it because I acted within
Highway code rule number 176