Advice needed - ran a red light.
Discussion
Hi All,
Totally my fault and kicking myself for this big time.
Earlier this evening I was driving down on to the Redbridge underground station roundabout to go from I think it's the A406 (coming from the M11) on to the A12 towards Stratford and went over the lights too late...I think they had turned red just as I went over. Cue a police car which had been waiting at the lights on my right to rightly pull me over. My sincerest apologies didn't make any difference but totally fair enough - I should have slammed on the anchors and not tried to cross the red light...split second error of judgement after a very long day.
I asked the officer if it would be a drivers awareness course or 3 points and he said it wasn't his decision and would go to the Met to decide and could be either. It's a real longshot but not sure if others have driven round this particular roundabout? The reason I ask is the lights change very quickly so as to help traffic flow quickly round such a busy roundabout. With that in mind, I know that the cars waiting on the right of me (eg the police car) see green almost immediately once my exit is red (way quicker than it happens where I live) so am not sure if my error falls within the 3 second rule the Met police seem to apply for such transgressions.
Real needle in a haystack asking if anyone has driven on this road but by chance, very keen to know if the PH folk think that the time of lights changing might mean I am within the 3 second rule? The Met site says it's all recorded by the officer, which it was, but I am presuming they slow it down to go second by second to see exactly how long after my lights turned red that I went through them? If it's 3 points then that's fine, it was totally my misjudgement and not been pulled over for over 20 years so very frustrating I was so stupid!
Totally my fault and kicking myself for this big time.
Earlier this evening I was driving down on to the Redbridge underground station roundabout to go from I think it's the A406 (coming from the M11) on to the A12 towards Stratford and went over the lights too late...I think they had turned red just as I went over. Cue a police car which had been waiting at the lights on my right to rightly pull me over. My sincerest apologies didn't make any difference but totally fair enough - I should have slammed on the anchors and not tried to cross the red light...split second error of judgement after a very long day.
I asked the officer if it would be a drivers awareness course or 3 points and he said it wasn't his decision and would go to the Met to decide and could be either. It's a real longshot but not sure if others have driven round this particular roundabout? The reason I ask is the lights change very quickly so as to help traffic flow quickly round such a busy roundabout. With that in mind, I know that the cars waiting on the right of me (eg the police car) see green almost immediately once my exit is red (way quicker than it happens where I live) so am not sure if my error falls within the 3 second rule the Met police seem to apply for such transgressions.
Real needle in a haystack asking if anyone has driven on this road but by chance, very keen to know if the PH folk think that the time of lights changing might mean I am within the 3 second rule? The Met site says it's all recorded by the officer, which it was, but I am presuming they slow it down to go second by second to see exactly how long after my lights turned red that I went through them? If it's 3 points then that's fine, it was totally my misjudgement and not been pulled over for over 20 years so very frustrating I was so stupid!
I have never heard of "the 3 second rule" but there you go. Something new every day.
There is 3 seconds at play at a traffic light junction. That applies to the single amber light that warns you for 3 seconds that the red light is about to come on and stop the traffic.
There may be an additional timer applied to an automatic camera that adds some time onto the red light time, but it will not be as long a 3 seconds.
If a police officer has taken the time to pull you over the red would have probably been on some considerable time before they would take time out of their day to bother with you.
Your fate will depend upon what the officer who stopped you has put in the report that goes back to the central ticket office. It is there that the policy on light timing and your transgression will be applied. From my understanding, the red time is going to be well under 3 seconds and probably under 1 second for some action to be taken.
There is 3 seconds at play at a traffic light junction. That applies to the single amber light that warns you for 3 seconds that the red light is about to come on and stop the traffic.
There may be an additional timer applied to an automatic camera that adds some time onto the red light time, but it will not be as long a 3 seconds.
If a police officer has taken the time to pull you over the red would have probably been on some considerable time before they would take time out of their day to bother with you.
Your fate will depend upon what the officer who stopped you has put in the report that goes back to the central ticket office. It is there that the policy on light timing and your transgression will be applied. From my understanding, the red time is going to be well under 3 seconds and probably under 1 second for some action to be taken.
AddyT. said:
Hi All,
Totally my fault and kicking myself for this big time.
Earlier this evening I was driving down on to the Redbridge underground station roundabout to go from I think it's the A406 (coming from the M11) on to the A12 towards Stratford and went over the lights too late...I think they had turned red just as I went over. Cue a police car which had been waiting at the lights on my right to rightly pull me over. My sincerest apologies didn't make any difference but totally fair enough - I should have slammed on the anchors and not tried to cross the red light...split second error of judgement after a very long day.
I asked the officer if it would be a drivers awareness course or 3 points and he said it wasn't his decision and would go to the Met to decide and could be either. It's a real longshot but not sure if others have driven round this particular roundabout? The reason I ask is the lights change very quickly so as to help traffic flow quickly round such a busy roundabout. With that in mind, I know that the cars waiting on the right of me (eg the police car) see green almost immediately once my exit is red (way quicker than it happens where I live) so am not sure if my error falls within the 3 second rule the Met police seem to apply for such transgressions.
Real needle in a haystack asking if anyone has driven on this road but by chance, very keen to know if the PH folk think that the time of lights changing might mean I am within the 3 second rule? The Met site says it's all recorded by the officer, which it was, but I am presuming they slow it down to go second by second to see exactly how long after my lights turned red that I went through them? If it's 3 points then that's fine, it was totally my misjudgement and not been pulled over for over 20 years so very frustrating I was so stupid!
As a "how can I get out of this?" thread, not bad so far.Totally my fault and kicking myself for this big time.
Earlier this evening I was driving down on to the Redbridge underground station roundabout to go from I think it's the A406 (coming from the M11) on to the A12 towards Stratford and went over the lights too late...I think they had turned red just as I went over. Cue a police car which had been waiting at the lights on my right to rightly pull me over. My sincerest apologies didn't make any difference but totally fair enough - I should have slammed on the anchors and not tried to cross the red light...split second error of judgement after a very long day.
I asked the officer if it would be a drivers awareness course or 3 points and he said it wasn't his decision and would go to the Met to decide and could be either. It's a real longshot but not sure if others have driven round this particular roundabout? The reason I ask is the lights change very quickly so as to help traffic flow quickly round such a busy roundabout. With that in mind, I know that the cars waiting on the right of me (eg the police car) see green almost immediately once my exit is red (way quicker than it happens where I live) so am not sure if my error falls within the 3 second rule the Met police seem to apply for such transgressions.
Real needle in a haystack asking if anyone has driven on this road but by chance, very keen to know if the PH folk think that the time of lights changing might mean I am within the 3 second rule? The Met site says it's all recorded by the officer, which it was, but I am presuming they slow it down to go second by second to see exactly how long after my lights turned red that I went through them? If it's 3 points then that's fine, it was totally my misjudgement and not been pulled over for over 20 years so very frustrating I was so stupid!
I'm very aware of the "3 second rule", as are most people up here.
Nothing to do with motoring though; it's to do with dropping a jammy piece, (other dropable snacks are available), onto the floor as, long as you pick it up within 3 seconds it is okay to scoff it.
If you were a total mink household it would be a 5 second rule you operated under.
HTH.
Nothing to do with motoring though; it's to do with dropping a jammy piece, (other dropable snacks are available), onto the floor as, long as you pick it up within 3 seconds it is okay to scoff it.
If you were a total mink household it would be a 5 second rule you operated under.
HTH.
Derry Rhumba said:
I'm very aware of the "3 second rule", as are most people up here.
Nothing to do with motoring though; it's to do with dropping a jammy piece, (other dropable snacks are available), onto the floor as, long as you pick it up within 3 seconds it is okay to scoff it.
If you were a total mink household it would be a 5 second rule you operated under.
HTH.
Shirly, or even surely, that depends on jam side up?Nothing to do with motoring though; it's to do with dropping a jammy piece, (other dropable snacks are available), onto the floor as, long as you pick it up within 3 seconds it is okay to scoff it.
If you were a total mink household it would be a 5 second rule you operated under.
HTH.
Many years ago, I ran a red light in central London (Ludgate Hill iirc) under similar circs. Light had only just changed as I went through.
Got three points, no option for a course. Not the end of the world.
I wouldn't sweat it, three seconds is quite a long time - you would have to be very deliberately running the red to pass it over three seconds after it has changed. So you'd know.
Got three points, no option for a course. Not the end of the world.
I wouldn't sweat it, three seconds is quite a long time - you would have to be very deliberately running the red to pass it over three seconds after it has changed. So you'd know.
My first piece of advice would be to title the thread with something more descriptive, than the rather generic “Advice Needed”.
Secondly, it comes down to the attitude when the light goes from green to amber. If you try to beat the lights, eventually you’ll come across a short amber with a police car (driver) observing it. If you try to slow down and stop unless it’s unsafe to do so on seeing the amber, almost always you can stop in time. All told, 3 points and the fine isn’t that harsh of a penalty so I think you’ll be okay.
Secondly, it comes down to the attitude when the light goes from green to amber. If you try to beat the lights, eventually you’ll come across a short amber with a police car (driver) observing it. If you try to slow down and stop unless it’s unsafe to do so on seeing the amber, almost always you can stop in time. All told, 3 points and the fine isn’t that harsh of a penalty so I think you’ll be okay.
3 points, a minor life lesson, and maybe drive more defensively when tired after a long day. Hang back, chill out and pretend you are driving a naked supermodel who is holding two glasses full of wine.
Then crash into the car in front as you can’t stop staring into the rear view mirror to see if it is really happening. Then see a doctor about psychosis.
Then crash into the car in front as you can’t stop staring into the rear view mirror to see if it is really happening. Then see a doctor about psychosis.
I would like to draw the attention of all drivers to the following:
The traffic light sequence in the UK is as follows:
Red: Stop and wait at the stop line.
Red and Amber: Prepare to move but wait until the green shows.
Green: You can go if it is safe to do so.
Amber: Stop unless it is unsafe to do so
Repeat: The sequence then returns to red.
Pay particular attention to the statement regarding the amber light.
Many do attempt to get through on amber so they do not have to stop on red, but as it says you should stop on amber unless it is unsafe to do so.
I go through the Redbridge roundabout twice a week and going through a red light is a minor issue compared to the general standard of driving there. I’d be happy to pay for a sniper to pick off drivers who turn right from the left lane across 3 lanes of traffic, cos left lane is quieter innit bruv.
vaud said:
3 points, a minor life lesson, and maybe drive more defensively when tired after a long day. Hang back, chill out and pretend you are driving a naked supermodel who is holding two glasses full of wine.
Then crash into the car in front as you can t stop staring into the rear view mirror to see if it is really happening. Then see a doctor about psychosis.
This is brilliant and made my day. OT but in this situation do you not want to make smooth but rapid progress to a quiet location? Don't spill any vino and then said supermodel can hold something else?Then crash into the car in front as you can t stop staring into the rear view mirror to see if it is really happening. Then see a doctor about psychosis.
Racing Newt said:
I would like to draw the attention of all drivers to the following:
The traffic light sequence in the UK is as follows:
Red: Stop and wait at the stop line.
Red and Amber: Prepare to move but wait until the green shows.
Green: You can go if it is safe to do so.
Amber: Stop unless it is unsafe to do so
Repeat: The sequence then returns to red.
Pay particular attention to the statement regarding the amber light.
Many do attempt to get through on amber so they do not have to stop on red, but as it says you should stop on amber unless it is unsafe to do so.
Not quite right.The traffic light sequence in the UK is as follows:
Red: Stop and wait at the stop line.
Red and Amber: Prepare to move but wait until the green shows.
Green: You can go if it is safe to do so.
Amber: Stop unless it is unsafe to do so
Repeat: The sequence then returns to red.
Pay particular attention to the statement regarding the amber light.
Many do attempt to get through on amber so they do not have to stop on red, but as it says you should stop on amber unless it is unsafe to do so.
Red: stop behind stop line - unless instructed otherwise by a police officer in uniform.
Green: Proceed (you may already be moving) if it is safe.
Message Board | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff