Traffic frights

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Traffic frights

I was reading through one of your website posts about traffic lights as I have a concern myself. I've been told not to worry but as I have only been driving for a year not worrying is very hard to do. I was approaching a junction doing 50 or less in a 50mph zone. As I was approaching the traffic lights were green, I saw them turn to amber but by the time I got there doing 50 it would have meant coming to a screeching halt and there were cars behind me so I decided to keep going. The light changed to red just as I crossed the line and I am now very concerned I have jumped a red light especially as I saw that the light in question has a grey camera on top that faces the direction in which I was going. Can I expect that dreaded letter through my door?

Asked on 29 May 2010 by LB, via email

Answered by Honest John

Maybe, maybe not. They usually make an allowance of about a second. But the police can take the view that if a light has been green for some time you should anticipate it changing to red and should prepare for this by slowing down. I have been campaigning for countdown signals on red and green lights, as used in Thailand, Canada and other countries but to no avail.

Tags: driving legal issues red lights fines

Similar questions

Red light zones

Can you let me know if one can legally go through a temporary red light at a road works that is failing to change to green and there is no oncoming traffic?

Red light zone

Swansea City Council has recently fitted a red-light camera to a 40mph section of road. The time that the lights are on amber seems very short, especially if you are travelling at the speed limit. Recently,...

Red carred

I have been sent a NIP for "driving through a red light". I approached a pedestrian crossing and the pedestrians crossed before I got to the lights and they went to red when the pedestrians were safely...