Failing to stop at a red light...
Discussion
I know that failing to stop at a red light is an offence, but what would happen if it was midnight, you'd stopped at the lights, looked around, could see there was no-one about, and decided to carry on your way? What offence have you committed? I'm thinking mainly on roundabouts where traffic lights have been installed turning them into nothing more than circular crossroads, but the same could apply at roadworks, or indeed anywhere that you can clearly see there is nothing coming.
I understand that if you were subsequently involved in an accident, the blame would entirely be yours, but is there actually a law that says you must wait at a light until it turns green?
I understand that if you were subsequently involved in an accident, the blame would entirely be yours, but is there actually a law that says you must wait at a light until it turns green?
I know EXACTLY where you're coming from. Lights are red. You drive over the pressure pad. Nothing. You reverse. Nothing. Rinse, repeat, nothing,
AAAAARGH!!
SO annoying
But yes, if you were seen, there are some jobsworths that would ticket you. If you look around carefully enough though, you won't be seen 
I had this a couple of times at work, and I just had to sit there. You just KNOW that anyone who sees a job car jump a red is going to moan. That's why we drive at 30 mph!!!
We want to be somewhere else usually, same as you do, but discipline fines are HUGE compared to court fines
madant69 said:
Lights are red. You drive over the pressure pad. Nothing. You reverse. Nothing. Rinse, repeat, nothing,
AAAAARGH!!
Its even worse on a bike, you sit there and know you just haven't got the pie eating mass to trigger the pressure mat, so the choice is wait for a car to join you in the queue or jump the lights
>> Edited by mel on Monday 20th October 18:11
So what about when lights have obviously failed.
I have lost count of the number of times I have been faced with a red light that refuses to change to green. I guess the law states that you are unable to cross the junction, but if the road is one way or no u-turns there is no option.
I have lost count of the number of times I have been faced with a red light that refuses to change to green. I guess the law states that you are unable to cross the junction, but if the road is one way or no u-turns there is no option.
Munta said:
So what about when lights have obviously failed.
Some people take law abiding too far.
I'm sure I've come across a story about a woman being found dehydrated in the Australian outback because she stopped at lights that were stuck on red and wouldn't go through them...
I guess it must be an urban myth as the only page Google throws up that refers to it as being a real event is one containing a number of, errr, adult stories.
bongomania said:
Are they pressure mats or are there induction wires burried in the tarmac that change current when a metal body goes over them?
The latter. Metal detectors, basically. I measured the frequency of one once (on a car park barrier) - it was 65kHz.
Course, for red lights, there's always the Mr Bean solution...
keithyboy said:
I think the yanks have addressed this problem - as I recall some lights in the US change to permanent flashing amber (i.e. give way) at off peak times. Then first come, first goes applies - just like the four-way stops. Im sure one of our US friends will correct me if im wrong!
I came across this in France recently. Works perfectly well there but given the standard of driving in the UK these days I just dont think it would work here.
On a similar note what happens if the lights refuse to change. Recently sat a set of lights in Purley for over 20 minuites waiting for them to change until all the cars behind be went through them. My brother who is South more than myself say it is a common problem with this specific set of lights, especially after midnight.
On a similar note what happens if the lights refuse to change. Recently sat a set of lights in Purley for over 20 minuites waiting for them to change until all the cars behind be went through them. My brother who is South more than myself say it is a common problem with this specific set of lights, especially after midnight.
On a similar note what happens if the lights refuse to change. Recently sat a set of lights in Purley for over 20 minuites waiting for them to change until all the cars behind be went through them. My brother who is South more than myself say it is a common problem with this specific set of lights, especially after midnight.
How does it work for temporary lights installed for road works? Do they have the same recognition as permanent lights or are they advisory?
Have had quite a lot of road works around us in the past two years and frequently the lights don't work properly. In the past I have waited ten minutes before risking go around a defunct light (at red).
MC
Have had quite a lot of road works around us in the past two years and frequently the lights don't work properly. In the past I have waited ten minutes before risking go around a defunct light (at red).
MC
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