Red light camera

[josadler7]

I think I may have tripped a red light camera, it was a Gatso RLC36 but it didn't flash at all. No excuses I was at fault if I did trip it although it was very close - amber when I crossed the line. Does anyone know if this camera has to flash?
Thank you for any replies in advance.

[Buenchico]

RLC 36 cameras are the old fashioned type, which contain photographic film (which has to be expensively loaded, collected, processed and analysed). Most cameras don't have any film in, because of the costs involved, so even if they do flash (which they definitely need to do to obtain any photographs) you might still get away with it.

At one time, 'empty' cameras were set to still flash (as a deterrent to other drivers) but it seems that this function seems to have been turned off at some red light cameras.

Chris

[SpikeyBush]

I was always under the impression that they only captured footage once they'd turned red, so if you went through on amber you will be OK seeing as amber means stop if you can without causing an accident. Seems that some take liberties as a result, and treat amber as 'put your foot down, they're nearly red' but it is the best you'll get with automated law enforcement.

[Paul22118]

If it flashed, film or not, the light was red when you were behind the stop line. Forget points, fines etc - don't play with your or anothers life. Get smart.

[lesblue]

If the light was amber, you've got nothing to worry about.

[akajonnyg]

Not all cameras flash - some are infra red - TRUVELO - Gatsos DO flash and as far as I know flash twice to take 2 pics. Do remember that if you went over the line on Amber you are OK. Often you can get stuck at lights turning right - the lights change and you end up stuck in the middle on red and then going through on red - this is OK cos you crossed the line on amber and so long as its safe to carry on you can do so. However if you crossed the line on red you have committed an offence and may (thats only a may) get a ticket - not all cameras work and have film in them. Dont lose any sleep about it!

[DaveWoolhouse]

I have to agree with paul22118 here, but in answer to the question, even when the lights change to red, there is a second or so time lapse before the camera is 'active'. the actual time lapse depends how the cmera is set up, but in theory you could go through just as it changes to red and get away with it. This is due to the time gap between your lights changing to red, and the lights in the other direction changing to amber. This bit of a delay is for people, like your naughty self (!) to clear the junction.
In future, a mirror check as you approach the lights would be a good idea, then you will have timeto make that split second decision to go or stop when they change to amber! Good luck though, and remember they only have 14 days to serve the NIP on you, or it's going nowhere!