Snapped by Red light camera

[Silvertank]

I was queing at traffic lights this evening due to a red light. Suddenly a car coming the other way broke down in the middle of the hashed yellow lines. Our lights went green and people started to move forward and around the broken down vehicle. Poor chap was left stranded unable to push his car alone.

Me, being the nice chap I am, pulled over, just past the lights to help him push his vehicle clear. As I got back in my car I noticed the red light camera flash, presumably, at me. I waited on the verge for the lights to go green and then I rejoined the flow of traffic.

What do people think? Was it me the camera took the picture of?

I was past the stop line, on the verge, but I was clear of the yellow hash.

Thoughts, recommendations gratefully received,

Tank

 

[Shude]

The cameras are supposed to go off if you go through the lights at red over 5mph. If you're stationary and already over the line I'm not sure what they prove!

 

[Silvertank]

That's interesting - thanks. I guess it could be me just being paranoid - perhaps it didn't go of at all, or it might have caught someone else.

 

[Shude]

That's interesting - thanks. I guess it could be me just being paranoid - perhaps it didn't go of at all, or it might have caught someone else.

Some traditional GATSOs go off when a car approaches them, this shouldn't happen either! The two pictures would be of a car pointing the wrong direction and the spacing would be the wrong way around between shots.

You didn't happen to get the details of the other party did you? That might be useful in case either of you need to explain what happened.

 

[Silvertank]

Some traditional GATSOs go off when a car approaches them, this shouldn't happen either! The two pictures would be of a car pointing the wrong direction and the spacing would be the wrong way around between shots.

You didn't happen to get the details of the other party did you? That might be useful in case either of you need to explain what happened.

Yeah I did.

I stopped further up and ran back to get his number. Hopefully that will help. I've just heard horror stories of people moving out of the way for emergency vehichles and still getting done.

 

[BTB 500]

Think you'll be fine, even if you did get flashed most junction cameras are 'dual purpose; now and record speed too. So you should be able to prove what was going on.

I once slid slowly into a junction with a red light camera (unrestricted dual carriageway, wet road, light car with little tyres and no ABS, middle of the night with no traffic around). No flash, sat halfway into the junction wondering whether to stay there (not a car in sight in any direction), or reverse back over the line!

 

[Flash]

The cameras are supposed to go off if you go through the lights at red over 5mph. If you're stationary and already over the line I'm not sure what they prove!

Apparently "high tech" red light cameras are designed to flash/catch you when you have passed the line/stationary i.e. yellow box scenario cameras.

Chances are that he has been flashed and shall be receiving three pentaly points and a £60 fine...!

 

[Flash]

Yeah I did.

I stopped further up and ran back to get his number. Hopefully that will help. I've just heard horror stories of people moving out of the way for emergency vehichles and still getting done.

If people get penalised for moving out of the way of emergency services vehicles then this "individual's" statement will not make much difference if drivers are successfully penalised for making way for emergency vehicles but will be worth a try in an appeal.

 

[Shude]

Apparently "high tech" red light cameras are designed to flash/catch you when you have passed the line/stationary i.e. yellow box scenario cameras.

Chances are that he has been flashed and shall be receiving three pentaly points and a £60 fine...!

I want to know how the yellow box cameras are supposed to work! How can they tell the difference between a queue of cars across the junction (illegal) and a right-turner waiting for oncomming traffic (legal)?

 

[Flash]

I want to know how the yellow box cameras are supposed to work! How can they tell the difference between a queue of cars across the junction (illegal) and a right-turner waiting for oncomming traffic (legal)?

In central London there are plently of these yellow junction box cameras. I am not sure how they function but know people that have been fined/fixed penalty points for entering the yellow box as soon as the lights turned green but they were stationary for a few seconds after and the lights had turned red.

 

[Shude]

In central London there are plently of these yellow junction box cameras. I am not sure how they function but know people that have been fined/fixed penalty points for entering the yellow box as soon as the lights turned green but they were stationary for a few seconds after and the lights had turned red.

In other words they were probably doing nothing wrong! This is just lazy enforcement and is one of the reasons that people lose respect for the authorities.

I'm surprised they don't just fine every car that goes through the junction and ask for proof later!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I want to know how the yellow box cameras are supposed to work! How can they tell the difference between a queue of cars across the junction (illegal) and a right-turner waiting for oncomming traffic (legal)?

Learn something new everyday!!

I thought the rule was "You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear" fullstop.

However as Shude points out it now seems that you may enter when waiting to turn right: "However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right"

 

[Flash]

Learn something new everyday!!

I thought the rule was "You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear" fullstop.

However as Shude points out it now seems that you may enter when waiting to turn right: "However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right"

If you enter the box full stop when it is green but end up blocking the exit for other traffic for what ever reason or traffic blocks you i.e. if you are turning or going straight then you still get "done" unfortunately.

 

[garystu1965]

Why not say you are an illegal immigrant claiming benefits and were on your way to rob someone's house. You'd defo get away with it then

 

[Flash]

Why not say you are an illegal immigrant claiming benefits and were on your way to rob someone's house. You'd defo get away with it then

So, I take it that you have not got a Visa to be here then...?

 

[Shude]

If you enter the box full stop when it is green but end up blocking the exit for other traffic for what ever reason or traffic blocks you i.e. if you are turning or going straight then you still get "done" unfortunately.

Vehicles already in the junction take priority over vehicles not yet in the junction.

...the other driver had a give way marking on the road he came from.

It'd be interesting if someone had to take this further in court!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

My biggest irritation on the roads is other drivers blocking box junctions. I pass through several every day, and all of them are full of cars when the lights change to green in my direction (one is even outside the police station).

Once once person does it, it seems to become a free for all, and 'everyone' does it. Unfortunately it just means traffic builds and progress is even slower - and nerves are frayed along the way.

 

[glojo]

In other words they were probably doing nothing wrong! This is just lazy enforcement and is one of the reasons that people lose respect for the authorities.

I'm surprised they don't just fine every car that goes through the junction and ask for proof later!

I am out of touch with the latest regulations, but I am with you on this point and always was of the opinion that if you intend turning right and your exit is clear you can enter the 'box'!!! There are camera's that are set up solely to catch vehicles failing to comply with the hatched markings. I thought these were different from the 'red light' variety.

Usually we all only ever get to hear one side of any story, but if someone crept forward to allow an emergency vehicle through a red light, then I would be amazed if they were prosecuted!! If however they went through the lights and just used the emergency vehicle as an excuse...... Then they should be prosecuted, plain and simple. Most camera's take two pictures so the speed of the offending vehicle will be known.

My vote and hope is that Silver tank will hear nothing

Good luck,
John

 

[miro]

Learn something new everyday!!

I thought the rule was "You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear" fullstop.

However as Shude points out it now seems that you may enter when waiting to turn right: "However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right"

They generally record everything and throw out what they can not use.

 

[television]

They generally record everything and throw out what they can not use.

Very nice picture ,but they are not MB cars

malcolm