subject: The Law On Red Lights [print this page] The government are cracking down on red light laws, as cities are increasingly installing cameras at intersections where drivers are known to run red lights, speed, or drive erratically. Currently, the minimum penalty for failing to stop at a red light is a 60 fine and 3 penalty points, but some councils are offering the chance for drivers to forgo penalties on their licence by attending a safe driving course.
Motorists are served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days of the offence taking place, and are expected to respond within 30 to 45 days or risk incurring more serious penalties and fine. The yellow cameras situated at busy or dangerous junctions are responsible for taking a photograph of the offending vehicles registration number after being activated by a sensor in the road. The address and owners details are the obtained from the DVLA database.
The registered car owner then has the opportunity to contest that they were driving, and the Notice of Intended Prosecution will then be forwarded to the driver at the time. If the owner cannot prove that they were not driving at the time they can ultimately be held responsible for the fine and points on their license.
Other grey areas of the traffic light law can catch people out. It is mistakenly believed that crossing the white line at a junction is sanctioned in the event that an emergency vehicle needs to get through. But many motorists are incurring fines and points for this very reason. It is very hard to find a successful excuse to avoid dilemma in this situation. Cyclists may also be unaware that they can face a 30 if spotted dodging a red light by the police.
The Traffic Light Awareness Scheme and its Red Light Course provide the opportunity for police to divert offenders to education as opposed to the Fixed Penalty System. The scheme is provided by Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police for a 60 fee, where during a three-and-a-half-hour course drivers will be shown pictures of cars involved in collisions to demonstrate the dangers of red light running, are tested on the Highway Code, and are required to complete worksheets on the consequences of ignoring the rules of the road.
