How Do You Know If A Red Light Camera Caught You

Traffic light cameras at busy junctions play a vital role in keeping our roads prophylactic. Merely if you've accidentally run a red light, it may not be clear whether or not you've been caught.

Here we'll cover what you need to know – from what triggers the cameras, to what to do if you retrieve you've been snapped.

How traffic low-cal cameras work

Traffic light (or 'crimson light') cameras detect vehicles which pass through lights subsequently they've turned cherry-red by using sensors or ground loops in the road.

When traffic lights are on red, the arrangement becomes active and the photographic camera is set up to photo any car that passes over the trigger.

It's an offence for whatever part of your vehicle to pass the white stop line if a traffic light has turned carmine.

The vast bulk of cherry-red light cameras in the United kingdom are made by Gatsometer.

These Gatso RLC 36 units besides have born radar technology, with dual speed and carmine light functions, so for the sake of rubber and the police force, avert the temptation to put your foot down when they beginning to change.

Why do we need traffic calorie-free cameras?

All traffic cameras are there for our safety. They're typically installed in high-risk areas, perhaps where someone has previously been injured or an accident has occurred afterward a scarlet lite was run.

At busy junctions and crossings y'all'll oft also run across smaller cameras on pinnacle of the lights themselves. These are there to help monitor traffic and congestion on roads, but do not flash for driving offences.

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How volition you lot know if you've been defenseless?

In that location'south no guarantee you'll know you've been defenseless immediately, unless the camera unmistakably flashes.

But traffic light cameras don't always wink like Gatsometer'due south more common yellowish box speed cameras, then it can exist tricky to judge if yous made it through in time.

While Gatsometer cameras will produce a distinctive flash whenever taking a photo, newer versions of the Trevulo-D speed cameras – which tin can also double up as crimson calorie-free cameras – utilise an infra-red flash which isn't visible to the driver.

If your car is captured by either, you lot'll receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days, once the photo has been reviewed.

What happens if you've been defenseless by a traffic light camera?

The NIP will ask the registered owner to name the offending driver, complete each section and return it inside 28 days.

In most cases, the notice will ask for an admission of guilt and order the payment of a fixed punishment fine in place of taking the case to courtroom.

Yous'll also have the right to appeal a penalty notice if yous feel you had mitigating circumstances for running a red low-cal.

Superhighway cameras - which ones can catch you out?
Speed cameras – what you need to know
What are the main driving offences and their punishments?

What defences can I use?

In all likelihood, very few. As a 'strict liability' offence, you won't get away with only insisting you 'didn't intend' to run the lite, if photographic evidence proves you did.

The just circumstances which may offering a defence include:

Proving you lot did non go through the red light
Proving at that place was a defect with the light or related signage

Further, special reasons may also be considered by a courtroom and pb to a re-assessment of your punishment.

All the same, it is unlikely y'all volition be permit off for assuasive an emergency vehicle to pass.

The cost of running a reddish light

Aside from the most important cost – the safety of you and other road users – if defenseless, y'all'll be required to pay a fine.

The current penalty for declining to terminate for a crimson calorie-free is unremarkably an £100 fine and three points on your licence. The points will stay on tape for four years.

If you fail to sign or respond to a NIP, or provide the details of the right offending driver if disputed, you could face prosecution, half-dozen penalisation points and a maximum fine of £1000.

Virtually constabularies also offer educational courses to motorists who are caught running a red light.