whats the punishment?

[k8bailey]

Whats the punishment for running a red light?

[sairejayne]

I suppose it depends if you get caught, or if it was a camera one etc etc. I was caught once. I ran a red and a police car was at the junction to my left ( I obviously didn't see him). He followed me and stopped me. He asked me If I knew i'd done it(!) I said no and he just said to be more careful in future as they must have changed the light sequence and he would inform the traffic division...?
Lucky escape for me.
Max I think is fine- if you can't sweet talk them. If it was a camera chances are it won't have film in - like a lot of speed cameras.

[k8bailey]

it was a camera and must have had film (just my luck!)

I know theres no excuse but I had a screaming baby in the car, I was going through on orange, the car infront slowed down and turned and the light went red, I got caught! this happened on monday, got the noticeof prosecution on saturday, but it doesn't say what the punishment is.

Would they care how it happened or that I only earn �60 a week?

[barry1010]

3 points, and a �60 fine

[k8bailey]

thanks barry. is there anyway of getting out of this? will it affect my car insurance?

[gadgetgeek]

If you did go thru on an Amber light and impaired by traffic turning you could appeal it. Depends on yr speed and if you could of just waited before proceeding. Fingers crossed.

[barry1010]

It won't affect your car insurance, but your only defence is that you could not stop at the amber light because it would have been unsafe to do so ie. the car behind was driving too close and too fast to stop in time; or you were too close to the lights when they changed from green to amber to stop safely.

[oldhamfan]

It could certainly affect your car insurance. Some insurance companies are not overly concerned by one penalty for speeding as it is becoming more common, but by going through a red traffic light you are showing that you are an increased risk of collision accident.
You should expect a �60 fine and 3 penalty points. You are likely to lose with any mitigation as amber means stop at the stop line, unless it appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close that to pull up might cause an accident. You said you were going through on amber.

Sorry I can't be more positive, but I have been there (in 2004!) for what it's worth. Pay up and put it down to experience.

[curlyperm11]

sh*g the local constabulary - failing that - offer to go on a speeding awareness course (i did) it lasts one day and you have to pay BUT they dont give you the points - think i paid �90 i'm on benefits too so you can pay in installments

[oldhamfan]

How can you go on a speed awareness course for going through a red light?

Forget it, it won't happen.

[R1Geezer]

Under sharia law, it;s 6 of the best trousers down!

[eltelioni]

You can hardly claim that it was dangerous to stop suddenly when you stopped anyway for the turning traffic..

[k8bailey]

not stopped slowed and already past the traffic light at that point, so if i'd stopped then, i would've been in the middle of a junction.

I am going to write a letter asking for the photo as I'm not sure the time is correct. If it is me I'll hold my hands up.

When renewing my car insurance, this will this count as a driving conviction?

How long will the point stay on my license?

[Mavis22]

They aren't supposed to go off if you go though on amber, only on red.

[oldhamfan]

The trigger for the camera is usually an induction loop just beyond the stop line. You will have driven over this on red to trigger the camera. If stopping would have left you in the middle of the junction you wouldn't have triggered the camera I'm afraid.

They might send you the photo, but they are not obliged to unless you reject the fixed penalty (as material for your defence). I would advise you not to go down this route as it seems highly unlikely that you will win.

When renewing your car insurance, this will count as a driving conviction. You will have the offence code TS10 on your licence.

The points are valid on your licence for three years, but they must remain on there for four (although 'spent' for the purposes of totting after three). Your insurance company however will ask for details of convictions for the last 5 years.

Like I said, sorry to sound negative but that's how it is. I don't know you but looking objectively, it seems to me as though you could have and should have stopped. There's little you can do now except pay up and move on - like I said, put it down to experience.

Whatever you decide, good luck.