Is this considered a red light offence? Options

[whenscary]

Good Evening folks,

I have recently relocated to the UK and have exchanged my foreign license for a UK issue. I do have a sound appreciation for the Highway Code but am naturally still nervous driving in new locations. Red light cameras are fairly common in my area and tend to cause me a degree of anxiety. I appreciate that an amber light does not mean proceed, unless of course one is unable to safely stop before the stop line.

When out driving today I had a green light change on me at a distance which I did not feel could safely be stopped within (traveling at around 35mph in a 50 zone). I had my dashcam running and can clearly see that I crossed the stop line at amber. I am unable to see the light change to red within the footage so assume that this would not constitute running a red light? The junction is fitted with a monitron/redspeed camera type and I cannot recall a visible flash (if these units do indeed flash).

In your opinion would you consider the photos shown likely to result in a fine and subsequently points against a license? The first image shows green on approach, 2nd the change to amber, 3rd crossing the stop line at amber and the 4th approaching the junction exit whilst still at amber.






I understand if this constitutes incessant worrying but would appreciate any opinions here.

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[PASTMYBEST]

From the photos I don't think a camera would have picked you up, but IMO a police officer could and I think should. Allowing for the foreshortening effect of the camera I would say you had plenty of time to stop.

And amber does not mean do not proceed. It means stop, but there would be a defence that you would have been unable to do so safely

[whenscary]

I understand that it does mean stop. I appreciate that one should be anticipating a potential light change, particularly if a green signal has been showing for some time, this is tricky though?

The highway codes stopping distance at 40mph includes for 12 metres of thinking distance and another 24 metres for braking. It would be even greater within a 50mph zone such as this. I cant see myself having brought the car to a safe stop behind the line as it would appear that I am closer than 36 metres from the line. I can reason with your comment about foreshortening and am certainly not trying to justify having crossed the line at an amber.

With these sorts of camera devices, would it be correct to assume that the camera is only in an 'active' state for capturing red light offenses, if the traffic light is red at the point at which a vehicle crosses the first stop line?

Thanks once again for any feedback.

[666]

I understand that it does mean stop. I appreciate that one should be anticipating a potential light change, particularly if a green signal has been showing for some time, this is tricky though?

The highway codes stopping distance at 40mph includes for 12 metres of thinking distance and another 24 metres for braking. It would be even greater within a 50mph zone such as this. I cant see myself having brought the car to a safe stop behind the line as it would appear that I am closer than 36 metres from the line. I can reason with your comment about foreshortening and am certainly not trying to justify having crossed the line at an amber.

With these sorts of camera devices, would it be correct to assume that the camera is only in an 'active' state for capturing red light offenses, if the traffic light is red at the point at which a vehicle crosses the first stop line?

Thanks once again for any feedback.

Where there are two stop lines, AIUI the camera is set to capture vehicles crossing the second line.

If, as you say, one is anticipating a change, then thinking distance should be negligible - certainly much less than 12m. The technique I was taught, when approaching a green light, is to identify in advance the 'point of no return' beyond which it would be unsafe to brake.

[whenscary]

I presume the most common occurrence of a second stop line would be advanced stop lines for cyclists? There certainly weren’t any in this instance but understand that what you’re saying is that one would have to cross the second stop line at red to trigger the camera?

[Neil B]

Where there are two stop lines, AIUI the camera is set to capture vehicles crossing the second line.

Saw this (alleged) Met response today to a cyclist who reported someone.

We have watched the video again and the BMW passed the first white line on amber, his wheels did not pass the first white line when the lights were red. This is the reason we are unable to take any further action.