According to Great Britain’s annual report for road casualties, 1,460 people were killed on UK roads in 2020. This is lower compared to the previous 5 years and it’s attributed to the lockdowns imposed during the pandemic. However, you still need to be careful when you’re driving especially in busy intersections and during high traffic hours. It’s common to see red light cameras installed on most major roads to promote safety. So it’s not surprising that many drivers are caught running a red light. In this article, we discuss red light cameras and the consequences of getting caught running through the red light.
What are red light cameras?
The idea behind a red light camera is that when a car runs the red light, photos are taken before, during, and after a traffic violation incident. The photos show the driver, the infraction, and the vehicle’s license plate as well.
Red light cameras are often so tiny, which is why drivers do not see them & get caught more often for speeding than jumping a red light. In addition, it also forms part of an automatic ticket-issuing system. So, if you get caught by one, then expect to receive a notice of intended prosecution.
Do all traffic lights have them?
Traffic cameras are used to promote safety. Usually, they’re installed in high-risk locations, often where accidents have occurred in the past, or where people have been injured. They’re often seen at busy crossings and junctions on top of the traffic lights. However, it doesn’t mean that all traffic cameras are red light cameras. Some traffic cameras are installed to monitor traffic and road congestion, but they don’t record driving offences.
What does it mean by 'running a red light'?
It means a person is driving past the white stop line if the traffic light has turned red. This also applies to any form of traffic light such as level crossings for trains or trams, portable road works, motorways, or pedestrian crossing lights. Once the traffic light turns amber, then you must begin to slow down. However, if you can’t make it in time you may drive through an amber light if it would be hazardous to stop otherwise.
Most people are not aware that as well as running a red light, running an amber light is also considered a traffic offence on the same level as running a red light. Do remember that there’s more leniency when a person drives through the amber signal especially when your stopping may be potentially harmful. There is an absolute prohibition on going through lights on red or red/amber but a qualified prohibition where it is on amber only. If you go through a red light & an accident results, this will be seen as an aggravating factor & is likely to increase the seriousness of the outcome for you.
If your light is on green as you go through & you see another vehicle entereing a junction in contravention of their traffic light you must still take reasonable steps to avoid a collision.
What happens if you go through a red light?
There’s no way to know if you’ve been caught immediately unless you see that the camera flashes. Yet, traffic light cameras don’t always flash so it can be difficult to assess if you made it through on time. If your vehicle is captured by a traffic light camera, then you’ll get a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days, once your photo has been evaluated.
What are the penalties when you run a red light?
When you fail to comply with the road traffic regulations you get penalized with 3 points added to your licence, as well as an automatic £100 fine if you get caught by either a traffic light camera or a road police officer & are eligible for a Conditional Fixed Penalty Offer. You may be given the option of attending a Driver Awareness Course as an alternative to points & a financial penalty.
The points will stay on your record for four years & count for the purposes of totting up, for 3 years. If you are not able to respond to or sign a NIP or submit the details of the correct offending driver if disputed, you could be prosecuted, earn 6 penalty points, and be fined up to £1000.
If you accumulate points on your licence, insurance quotes become more expensive and sometimes fewer companies will be willing to cover your car insurance. This is because the cost of insurance relies on the risk factors of the driver. With more points on your licence, it is assumed that you are more likely to get into driving accidents that may be costly for the insurance companies.
Tips to avoid running a red light
The most effective way to avoid running a red light is to change your driving habits. It’s highly recommended that you allocate plenty of time for a journey so there’s no need to rush. Yet, it has more to do with the way you drive. Sometimes, you accidentally run a red light when you’re distracted looking at your phone or eating while driving.
What's my best course of action if I get caught?
Should you get caught running a red light, then here are some possible defences:
- Stopping your car would cause an accident only if it was amber;
- The NIP was not served on the registered keeper within the 14 day period;
- The traffic lights are not authorised by the local authority (typically concerning temporary traffic lights);
- Different considerations arise if you are driving an emergency vehicle – in simple terms you must then view a red light as a Give Way sign so you must not go through it if you are likely to cause danger to any other driver on the road or force another driver into changing speed or direction so as to avoid an accident;
- If all the lights have failed & are stuck on red then having waited a reasonable time you may proceed with caution but the onus would be on you to show that the lights were not working;
It’s best to seek legal advice from an experienced driving offence solicitor as soon as you receive your Notice of Intended Prosecution. You may call me at 0151 601 3743 to get a free initial consultation. I can check for possible errors in the procedures of the police that can be used in your favour. I can also guide you through the whole process so you can avoid the stress of dealing with your driving offences.
