Taxi Driver Online

I was waiting at a red light which was a pelican crossing,10.30 at night, no pedestrians, no other traffic coming towards me, sat and waited, and waited, and waited. Edged forward still on red, I thought to myself this has jammed they do not take this long to change, so thought I would go through it and telephone the authorities. From out of nowhere come the blue lights and the opening words from the friendly policeman. " Thats just got you 3 points and £60. He would not listen and he admitted he had seen me waiting and seen me edge forward but although there was no one around I had gone through the red light, should I appeal or al least complain about his attitude.

http://forums.pepipoo.com/
Ask that question here,

You've commited the offence, only way you can get round it is on a technicality.

Was the copper alone, does he have video evidence ? If not it's your word against his. The courts don't always take the polices' word as gospel and have to prove reasonable doubt (I think above 55%) that you were at fault. Basically the police have to PROVE you commited the offence.

Did the copper have a clear view of the lights, where was he sat, how far away, what was the weather/visibility like ? I know of someone who jumped some lights as an unmarked car approached the other junction, because they couldn't see the other set of lights they just presumed that because theirs were on green that the other set must have been on red. Magistrates let them off.

Was a fault reported to the council/highways, could they provide information to prove that the lights were stuck on red. Some lights are controlled by a central computer that logs faults. However that will show that you did go through on red - it's not a getoff but a mitigation. The courts might take pity.

There are other loopholes such as wrong reg number on the ticket but these would take a proper solicitor with more knowledge than mine to advise on.

Bottom line is if you go to court and state the lights were stuck on red you admit the offence. If you lie and say they were on green and the police have supporting evidence you end up in bigger trouble.

If you appeal and lose the costs, without legal representation, will be several hundreds in fines and court costs. The points level will remain the same.

Will you win, from my experience no.

You will have excellent mitigation, but the offence has been committed.

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IDFIMH

I read about a similar situation on a website, it may have been pepipoo, but basically you are f**ked. If traffic lights are stuck at red you simply can't go through them without committing the offence. You are supposed to turn around and find another route, which is ok unless you are in a one way street.

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Grandad,

had similar experience at tempory lights about 10 yrs ago. punter insisted they were fecked, and had been all day. crawled through at <10mph, blue lights at back of me within seconds. officer admitted to "have been waiting all night to catch somebody". got a caution (no ticket) and breathalysed. (the lights were just extremely slow in changing)

imo, best to take the hit. can't see it being revoked.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

I thought it was OK to go through a red light as long as you went through at caution? Isn't that the reason why emergency vehicles slow down and look when they get to a set of lights.

We've got some new pedestrian crossing round here which tend to stick when the weather reaches freezing point, the last winter nearly all of them were stuck on red for days on end, the Police had no problems with us going through them.

If it were me I'd appeal and wouldn't let it drop.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

Unfortunatly you thought wrong. I used to think the same and I was wrong as well. Emergency vehicles with their lights flashing are allowed to proceed with caution but the rest of us are fecked.

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Grandad,

[quote="Midlander"]I thought it was OK to go through a red light as long as you went through at caution? [quote]

I used to think that as well, but not even with temp lights. according to a traffic cop I once tried using that excuse with. he let me off with a nipped ear about road safety.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

I never stopp at them if the other way is clear in the early hours of the morning.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

I did it once and got sent to naughty class but it was better than 3 points on my licence

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Interesting, You ignore red traffic lights and park on double yellows and then you wonder why your enforcement officer take a hard line.

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Grandad,

Bit of trivia for ya. Only ambulances (on an emergency) are legally allowed to go through red lights without commiting an offence, fire and police commit an offence but a blind eye is turned. Technically they could be prosecuted. Also miltary vehicles are exempt from a lot of the RTA and can't be stopped by civilian police, even though they are because no-one knows about the law - something to do with being one of the Queens vehicles.

So what's the point of sitting at a temporary red light in the early hours of the morning when there's nothing coming the other way and it's safe to go? Your only clocking up waiting time p!ssing the passenger off.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

The point is that it is the law and if you choose to go through a red light then don't complain if you get done for it and in your manor i would expect you to be hit with the immediate suspension because your council would definatly see you as a danger to the public.

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Grandad,