Failing to stop at a red light.
Discussion
Having been charged with failing to stop at a red light I've pleaded not guilty and elected to go to court. Some advice from fellow Pistonheads would be welcome.
Circumstances as follows: I was in the centre lane of a 3 lane uphill sliproad leading to a roundabout. Ahead of me and on either side were 2 tall HGV's which obscured my view of the traffic lights at the entry to the roundabout. (This was not a route I knew!) Result was that I overshot the line when I saw the lights and stopped on the far side. The scamera piccie shows my brake lights ON and a car passing on the roundabout itself. Apparently I crossed the line at 15mph but my Scenic can stop from that speed in 15 feet and there is at least another 15 feet to the roundabout itself.
Is there anything I can do, say or show to lighten the likely legal impact?
Circumstances as follows: I was in the centre lane of a 3 lane uphill sliproad leading to a roundabout. Ahead of me and on either side were 2 tall HGV's which obscured my view of the traffic lights at the entry to the roundabout. (This was not a route I knew!) Result was that I overshot the line when I saw the lights and stopped on the far side. The scamera piccie shows my brake lights ON and a car passing on the roundabout itself. Apparently I crossed the line at 15mph but my Scenic can stop from that speed in 15 feet and there is at least another 15 feet to the roundabout itself.
Is there anything I can do, say or show to lighten the likely legal impact?
Hi John.
{quote=johnsam](This was not a route I knew!)[/quote] no defence, I'm afraid.
[quote=johnsam]scamera piccie[/quote] NOT scamera, I'm afraid. There to catch the dangerous runners of red lights...Safety IS the message with these babies.
[quote=johnsam]Is there anything I can do, say or show to lighten the likely legal impact?[/quote]
I don't think you'll get away with it, I'm afraid. Best to either plead guilty by post, or if it's too far down the line for that, plead guilty at court with those circumstances which you've outlined. You'll probably still get the same amount of points, but with a slightly increased fine, taking into account court costs.
Sorry if that's not too positive for you mate.
Street
johnsam said:Presumably you saw the lights on the approach, further down the hill. I also presume the HGVs were in the nearside lane. (although this is of course not necessary at roundabout)s.
Having been charged with failing to stop at a red light I've pleaded not guilty and elected to go to court. Some advice from fellow Pistonheads would be welcome.
Circumstances as follows: I was in the centre lane of a 3 lane uphill sliproad leading to a roundabout. Ahead of me and on either side were 2 tall HGV's which obscured my view of the traffic lights at the entry to the roundabout.
{quote=johnsam](This was not a route I knew!)[/quote] no defence, I'm afraid.
[quote=johnsam]scamera piccie[/quote] NOT scamera, I'm afraid. There to catch the dangerous runners of red lights...Safety IS the message with these babies.
[quote=johnsam]Is there anything I can do, say or show to lighten the likely legal impact?[/quote]
I don't think you'll get away with it, I'm afraid. Best to either plead guilty by post, or if it's too far down the line for that, plead guilty at court with those circumstances which you've outlined. You'll probably still get the same amount of points, but with a slightly increased fine, taking into account court costs.
Sorry if that's not too positive for you mate.
Street
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