Mother just got booked for going through a red light?
Discussion
Hey ho all just got told by my 70 year old mother that she got grabbed by the police for going through a red light.
She says It was green/amber and I am pretty much inclined to believe her as apart from being my mother shes probably the most cautious if not downright nervous driver I have ever been in a car with. If this was numerous other people I would kind of listen to the story and be thinking that they drive like loons anyway but the old dear stops at roundabout when you can see 5 miles in every direction and there is not sight nor sound of traffic.
If it was an automated camera I would not argue the toss but my mother asked the policeman if he had a recording of it and he did not. He said it was his word against hers was quite s
tty with her by all accounts making her chance across some very icy ground to get into his patrol car to be breathylsed.
Now I understand even my 70 year old mother is not above the law and I am an avid supporter of our countries police force and the great job they do but I feel an element of quota filling is happening here and mother dearest is getting rough justice.
So how do we fight this and do we have a chance? I am thinking it will be a tick in the box of the paperwork that arrives and a quick written explanation and then off to the police commissioner/judge for a decision?
Any tips or advice on this is most appreciated as I would like to help the old dear out. Many thanks in advance.
She says It was green/amber and I am pretty much inclined to believe her as apart from being my mother shes probably the most cautious if not downright nervous driver I have ever been in a car with. If this was numerous other people I would kind of listen to the story and be thinking that they drive like loons anyway but the old dear stops at roundabout when you can see 5 miles in every direction and there is not sight nor sound of traffic.
If it was an automated camera I would not argue the toss but my mother asked the policeman if he had a recording of it and he did not. He said it was his word against hers was quite s
tty with her by all accounts making her chance across some very icy ground to get into his patrol car to be breathylsed.Now I understand even my 70 year old mother is not above the law and I am an avid supporter of our countries police force and the great job they do but I feel an element of quota filling is happening here and mother dearest is getting rough justice.
So how do we fight this and do we have a chance? I am thinking it will be a tick in the box of the paperwork that arrives and a quick written explanation and then off to the police commissioner/judge for a decision?
Any tips or advice on this is most appreciated as I would like to help the old dear out. Many thanks in advance.
digger the goat said:
Dashcams !!
Mine on way..
Don't argue the toss... you will probably lose... Look around for cctv if there is any. If not.. Swallow it. 3 points and £60-00.
I also agree with your quota sentiments.
Hi what dash can did you get - after many posts like the one above I think I'd like one. Mine on way..
Don't argue the toss... you will probably lose... Look around for cctv if there is any. If not.. Swallow it. 3 points and £60-00.
I also agree with your quota sentiments.
Edited by digger the goat on Sunday 5th January 01:57
The colour 'amber' seems to be there.It's surprising how many people get caught out by thinking that amber isn't exactly the same thing as red in meaning stop which really makes the idea of having an amber light pointless.IE the reality is if you don't stop at an amber light and the law wants to make an issue of it there's not much chance of a defence unless it actually changed to amber after the front of the car had crossed the stop line.If that was the case then plead not guilty.
crolandc said:
Was told that if rear wheels go over on red it's a cop! not a lot of room for error then.
There is room for error. Thats why there is amber. Sorry...http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_...
Is this a joke?
I thought the default response to jumping a red light, was always to say it was amber.
It sounds like your mother maybe to old to be driving. Jumping red lights, struggling to use roundabouts properly and very nervous behind the wheel. Get her off the road before she hurts someone.
I thought the default response to jumping a red light, was always to say it was amber.
It sounds like your mother maybe to old to be driving. Jumping red lights, struggling to use roundabouts properly and very nervous behind the wheel. Get her off the road before she hurts someone.
pimping said:
She says It was green/amber
If she was looking at the light on her side of the junction (instead of one on the other side) and saw it go amber then there's a good chance it had flipped to red between it going out of her field of vision and actually crossing the line?My parents are of similar vintage and it's interesting to see how their driving standards are gradually slipping. Both have managed to clock up multiple sets of points (none of which they deem "fair" but were due to a lack of attention) in spite of my mother also fitting the "cautious" description you use for yours... they've got a way to go before they hang up their driving gloves but it has served as a bit of a reality check for them.
Bit depressing, as I know how reluctant I'd be to quit, but I'm hoping they make the decision themselves and don't get to the stage where they need to be told it's time to stop (as they had to do to my Grandfather).
Funny isn't it? Most people are supportive of the Police until one of their friends or family gets nabbed, and then suddenly all coppers are corrupt target chasing liars.
If you mother is as nervous as you say, isn't it possible she was too nervous to apply some heavy braking to stop for a red light she'd misjudged?
If you mother is as nervous as you say, isn't it possible she was too nervous to apply some heavy braking to stop for a red light she'd misjudged?
XJ Flyer said:
The colour 'amber' seems to be there.It's surprising how many people get caught out by thinking that amber isn't exactly the same thing as red in meaning stop which really makes the idea of having an amber light pointless.IE the reality is if you don't stop at an amber light and the law wants to make an issue of it there's not much chance of a defence unless it actually changed to amber after the front of the car had crossed the stop line.If that was the case then plead not guilty.
This. Amber means stop, not 'ooh, you nearly had to wait, well done on getting through'.Not commenting on your mothers situation directly, but it is about time the police started clamping down on this. The amount of times I've slipped through on amber rather than risk benign rear ended by the car behind by braking firmly when the amber appears, only to see three or four cars follow me through ( the last two of which had to be on red) is ridiculous.
If the police want to catch someone going through on red they wouldn't have to wait long!
If the police want to catch someone going through on red they wouldn't have to wait long!
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