Contravening a red traffic light

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Sun 19 Feb 2012 21:00
Contravening a red traffic light - jan1026

I have received a notice of intended prosecution letter earlier saying that I have drove through the red light and have been captured by a camera .

I honestly have no memory of this happened but the time and the date is correct that I remember I have drove through there since I was on the way to uni with my friends. Neither me nor my friends noticed about this incident.

The letter said I drove through at a speed of 16 kmph on a 30 kmph road, which I assum I must have slower down and thought I have passed before the light turn into red, which now I know it is obviously not.

I have admitted and replied. I have no previous offence record, and I thought I would be getting penalty points and fine or attending Safety Awareness Courses. However, what I received today is a letter saying that the offence is too serious that it cannot be dealt with Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty but will have to go to Magistrate Court instead.

I am now so nervous that I do not know what will happen next and what penalty will I get.

Can anyone tell me what will happen ? what should I do and what penalty will I possibly get?! Will I be disqualified ?

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Mon 20 Feb 2012 07:40
Contravening a red traffic light - Dwight Van Driver

This type of offence can be dealt with by Conditional Offer i.e. £60 and 3 points but there is nothing to say that they have to do so and can instead put the matter before a Court. It would seem there is some compelling evidence for them to do so in this case.

Next thing will be summons for your to attend Court with time, date and place and information of the offence committed. Lets hope they stick to fail to conform and do not up to dangerous driving (hardly likely but a possibility)

You will have the option of pleading Guilty or Not Guilty and in either case an option to put your side before the Court. As they have evidence on camera then it will be an uphill struggle to refute.

As far as penalty without knowing what ammunition they have from what you say I would suspect a fine. This will depend on your circumstances which will be established prior to or at Court in a finanacial assessment. Clean DL then 3 points also. Plus a fee for CPS Prosecution costs (£30 -60) and a Victims Support Supplement of £15.

If they go beyond a fail to conform to a more serious offence then you may consider seeing a Solicitor.........

Remember when approaching a green light its going to change to a red.....if it does can you stop?

dvd

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Tue 21 Feb 2012 15:06
Contravening a red traffic light - Peter D

It is often based on the number of seconds into red, if it is too long then they do use a summonds instead of a fixed penalty. Does the letter not detail the time into red ? Regards Peter

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Wed 7 May 2014 12:36
Contravening a red traffic light - alt-2014

Hi, i've also had a notice of intended prosecution for contravening red traffic light and they say i will have to go to magistrate court. i was just wondering what was the outcome with you? did you just get a fine and points?

Thanks

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Wed 7 May 2014 18:49
Contravening a red traffic light - Armitage Shanks {p}

OP is quoting speds in Kmph - does this mean he was not in UK and comment to date will not be relevant?

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Wed 7 May 2014 19:24
Contravening a red traffic light - Bromptonaut

Amber means Stop too but there is a defence based on driver believing it would be dangerous to do so. Unfortunately most drivers either wilfully or by ignorance regard amber as something to be raced. In London the same applies to first half second of red - even for 'professional' drivers of buses or taxis.

Crossing a red is an absolute offence. There are few defences apart from being directed by a police oficer in uniform and possibly some saving to do with lights stuck on red. 'New' OP needs to consider position carefully.

As a cyclist above behaviour, commited with 2 tonnes or more of vehicle at 20+mph, gives me a wry grin when people start ranting about bikes creeping through red kerbside or when timings are askew.


Edited by Bromptonaut on 07/05/2014 at 19:25

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